AWEIL – A protocol officer serving in the office of the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has died following a tragic road accident along the Malualkon–Wanyjok road in Aweil East County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday morning.
According to local sources, the deceased, identified as Agany Deng Arop, was part of the Vice President’s convoy and was travelling from Amarjal village, where Vice President Abdelbagi is currently residing, to Wanyjok Town to refuel vehicles assigned to the convoy.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle overturned near Pan Nhial along the highway close to Malualkon Town, resulting in fatal injuries to Arop.
James Dut Santos, a local youth who witnessed the accident, said the vehicle was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control.
“The vehicle overturned suddenly, and many people rushed to the scene. The victim was bleeding heavily and appeared to have died instantly, although he was later taken to hospital for further medical examination,” Santos said.
Another resident, Deng Garang, claimed that the vehicle involved in the accident may have been racing with another vehicle from the same convoy before the crash occurred.
“They were competing on the highway with another vehicle from the convoy. The driver of the other vehicle survived unharmed,” Garang alleged.
Garang described the deceased as a well-known figure within the Vice President’s office.
“He was responsible for many protocol-related duties for the Vice President. He was widely known and respected. He was also a graduate of Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor,” he said.
The death of Arop has shocked residents in the area, with many expressing condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.
Some residents have linked the incident to longstanding criticisms directed at the Vice President regarding service delivery in the region.
Others have revived local superstitious beliefs often associated with high-profile political visits. However, there is no evidence connecting such claims to the accident, and authorities have not commented on these assertions.
It was not immediately clear where Arop’s remains would be taken for burial. Sources indicated that arrangements were being discussed, including the possibility of transferring the body to Aweil Town before it is transported to his home area for burial.
Efforts to obtain an official comment from aides to Vice President Abdelbagi in Amarjal were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls went unanswered by press time.
