Top army general dies while on treatment in Egypt

JUBA, JULY 8, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A high-ranking South Sudan army commander has passed on in the Egyptian capital Cairo, senior officers of the armed forces have confirmed as his body arrives in the country.

Maj. Gen. John Mayiel Thach died on June 28 in Cairo while undergoing treatment for undisclosed illness, according to senior colleagues at the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces headquarters in Juba and his friends.

In a statement, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the remains of the senior SSPDF officer have been flown home to Juba as he is pictured along with other senior army officers carrying the casket of the late general as it is disembarked from the plane.

“[I was] carrying casket bearing remains of Major General John Mayiel Thach, who passed on in Cairo, Egypt, on June 28, 2023,” he said as he is pictured at Juba International Airport.

Separately, Unity State governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil’s office said the governor when to Rier, also known as Tharjiath, to receive the body of the late general after he was flown to his home-state Unity State where he will be buried.

“Governor H.E Lt Gen Dr Joseph Manytuil Wejang on Saturday joined mourners at Tharjiath Airstrip to receive the body of late Maj. Gen John Mayiel Thach,” the Governor’s office said in a statement a copy of which was extended to Sudans Post.

“The casket of late Maj. Gen John Mayiel Thach was flown from Juba this morning for the burial in his hometown, Koch County. The late Maj. Gen John Mayiel Thach passed on in Egypt after short illness on 28th June 2023,” the statement added.