South Sudanese General Joseph Lagu dies at 95
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Eyeradio
General Joseph Lagu, a key figure in South Sudan’s fight for self-determination and former leader of the Anyanya One movement, has died in Juba at the age of 95. His family confirmed his death, which occurred on Monday after an illness, Eye Radio reports.
South Sudanese General Joseph Lagu, former leader of the Anyanya One liberation movement, died in Juba on Monday at the age of 95 after an illness, his family confirmed to Eye Radio. His relatives had appealed to the public to pray for his recovery two days before his death.
Joseph Lagu led the first South Sudanese rebellion against the Sudanese government from 1963. His movement took part in the civil war that began after the Torit mutiny in 1955 and ended in 1972, a conflict known as the 17-year war.
His actions led to the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972 with Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry, mediated by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. The agreement granted regional autonomy to South Sudan and provided for the creation of a Higher Executive Council. Joseph Lagu later rejoined the Sudanese armed forces with the rank of major general, according to the Joseph Lagu Foundation.
