South Sudan Veteran Joseph Lagu Reflects on Progress and National Spirit During Juba Tour

By Deborah Akur Chol, South Sudan

In a poignant journey that links South Sudan’s past to its present, 95-year-old General Joseph Lagu Yanga, the distinguished former leader of the Anyanya Movement and second President of the High Executive Council of the Regional Government of Southern Sudan, toured the capital city of Juba today. He was joined by Finance Minister Hon. Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater.

Accompanied by his daughter, H.E. Josephine Lagu Yanga, who serves as the Vice President and Chairperson of the Service Cluster, General Lagu spent the day touring significant landmarks in the city that he played a pivotal role in shaping during the post-Addis Ababa Agreement era.

This tour was prompted by a recent visit from Minister Dongrin, during which General Lagu expressed his desire to witness the growth and transformation of Juba since the nation’s independence. Despite his advanced age, Gen. Lagu’s presence radiated charisma and authority, as noted by Minister Dongrin.

The delegation explored several key sites that reflect South Sudan’s development since independence, including the newly renovated Juba football and basketball stadiums, the foreign embassies established over the last decade, the new headquarters of the Central Bank, the expansive Ministries complex, and the recently constructed Ministry of Finance and Planning building.

As he looked out over the thriving city of more than a million residents, General Lagu expressed pride in Juba’s evolution from a modest town in the 1970s to a dynamic national capital. He conveyed deep satisfaction in witnessing sovereign institutions flourishing on South Sudanese soil, highlighting that, despite the nation’s ongoing struggles, the progress achieved thus far is tangible and deserving of celebration.

General Lagu urged the current generation to draw inspiration from the dedication that fueled both the Anyanya and SPLA/M movements, stressing the crucial need for a collective commitment to nation-building. He articulated that South Sudan’s future progress hinges on whether today’s leaders and citizens embody the same spirit of mission as that which drove the country’s liberation movements.

This tour served as a significant moment of national reflection, bridging the sacrifices made during the Anyanya and High Executive Council era with the SPLA/M struggle led by Dr. John Garang de Mabior, as well as the contemporary leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. It underscored the importance of acknowledging and honoring the contributions of living national elders like General Lagu and Molana Abel Alier, whose tireless efforts laid the groundwork for South Sudan’s independence, often amidst limited resources and overwhelming challenges.