South Sudan’s first post-independence defense minister dies in Nairobi

JUBA – South Sudan’s first post-independence defense minister and former governor of Jonglei state Gen. John Koang Nyuon died on Monday in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, family members and security sources told Sudans Post.

“This is to inform the people of South Sudan that General John Koang Nyuon, the first defense minister of the independence South Sudan has passed on in Kenya on Monday. He has been on treatment for several months,” the family member who refused to be named told Sudans Post.

A senior army officer who said he has been in contact with Kuol until his death confirmed the senior army general’s passing on saying: “he died while receiving treatment from the Kenyan capital and the army has been monitoring his treatment.”

In a statement, South Sudan’s ambassador to Ethiopia James Pitia Morgan confirmed the death of the former Jonglei governor and hailed Gen. Koang’s achievements to the world’s youngest country describing him as someone who has refused “narrow minded politics.”

“General Nyuon, as we all know, is one of the sons of our nation, who has a great record of achievements. He stands out as a nationalist and dedicated his entire life to South Sudan. General Nyuon broke all barriers of tribalism, he refused narrow-minded politics of ethnicities and distinguished himself as a true son of South Sudan,” he said.

“The country and nation of South Sudan has once again been robbed of its dedicated, loyal, and committed sons! May the God Almighty rest the precious soul of Kuardit, Kong Nyuondit in his everlasting peace, Amen,” he added.

Koang, a renowned was the first defense minister to be appointed following South Sudan’s independence in 2011. He was latter on appointed as governor of Jonglei State replacing long-time governor Kuol Manyang Juuk who would later replace him as the country’s defense minister.