Listen to the Tributes I wrote about Gen. Amb. Bior-Asuod Ajang Duot. ~ Simon Yak Deng.

Here in Juba, on August 13, 2024, a leader, a hero, an icon, and a tree that provides a cosy canopy for the family, the community, and the country of South Sudan passed away. Gen. Amb. Bior-Asuod Ajang Duot was a brilliant soul, and his family has informed us that he passed away yesterday at around 7:00 p.m. following a brutal heart attack. We are very sorry to hear of his passing. Bior-Asuod hailed from Pan-Bior of Apoloch in Kongor, Twic East County in Jonglei State.

He was currently employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador, the head of the Twic East Community in Juba, the chair of the Emmanuel's Parish Church Council in the Episcopal Diocese of Juba, a community elder, a politician, and a cadre of the SPLM/A. He had previously served as an Undersecretary in the Republic of South Sudan's Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs. As a senior officer in the movement, he had already served in numerous positions both during and after the Liberation War. He was one of the closest individuals in the SPLA Command to Dr. John Garang De Mabior and his general headquarters.

In addition to being a man of good actions and a mentor to many in the community, Bior-Asuod was a teacher in the Old Sudan prior to joining the SPLA Movement in 1983. He did this alongside many other heroes and heroines who fought valiantly to bring about the liberation of the people of South Sudan. His contributions to our people's welfare are quite important. After the devastation of 1991, Gen. Amb. Bior Ajang was one of the important figures in the return of our people to their motherland. They bravely battled to save our ancestors' land from numerous tragedies and human error, as well as to restore the dignity of our people. In the short 19 years of transition and a free South Sudan, Bior remained steadfast in his support of the people during trying times and showed love to his community.

I had known him for a long time, but I got to know him better in 2001 when I went to the Community Meeting in Panyagor. Following that, I was introduced to Bior-Asuod by the extremely attached Hon. Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch, with whom I became quite close. We exchanged thoughts and humor in a unique way. We fellowshipped together for a significant number of years at Emmanuel's Parish in Juba. I had a really strong, loving, and unique bond with him just like he does with everyone else. Several years ago, we made the proposal to marry his beautiful daughter, Awak Bior Ajang. My brother Michael Arok Yak Duot is married to his daughter. As Wut-Pan Yak of the Ayual Community, we are aware of how Gen. Amb Bior-Asuod and his adored wife, Ayen Kon, welcomed us into their family.

Because humans are part of God's creation and are made in his image, they have the freedom to choose how they want to live—to love, to make, to reason, and to live in harmony with God and creation. Since Adam and Eve's fall from grace, humans have abused this freedom, making bad decisions and rebelling against God. For this reason, whatever path you choose is entirely up to you, and those who have chosen to live virtuously deserve to be commended for their dedication to doing good works and deeds in this world. To be more exact, Bior-Asuod was a person who had a pleasant life in this planet.

His contributions will go on forever. He is a man of few words, strong in compassion, visionary, committed, and he truly "walks the talk" when it comes to human discipline and ideals. His stands and decisions are unaffected by powerful winds or earthquakes of any form.

Humans undoubtedly exist and proceed in accordance with God's will and design. Consequently, whether we are celebrating or in mourning for someone, we constantly give thanks to God for that. The passing of Gen. Amb. Bior-Asuod Ajang Duot and the numerous heroes and heroines who perished during this crucial period in South Sudan, however, are particularly painful. The rewards of their labors and the final sacrifices they made during the liberation war are not yet fully appreciated by the people of South Sudan. Instead, there is a shaky system of governance, a great deal of tribalism and corruption among our ranks, thousands of people who remain in exile, and a very split populace in South Sudan. For all of them, we must reach high and exert every effort to at least offer happiness and harmony to our people. We do not hold any individual accountable for this; rather, it is our shared duty and national obligation to restore grace, peace, joy, and unity to our cherished South Sudan.

Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the president of the Republic of South Sudan who is one of the many people who have some sort of connection to the deceased, joined the mourners at Bior's residence and started crying today to show how he love him as a person. This is a testimony of how people recall their patriotic and ultimate sacrifices in human life. I assumed Gen. Kiirdit took a moment to reflect on everything they had been doing during the liberation period. The individual contributions of each of them. How they intended to lead the movement and fight the battle, as well as the times of contentment and destruction. We were in denial about the passing of a great guy, therefore we shed a lot of tears today. Nevertheless, may his passing bring South Sudan, our beloved nation, togetherness, joy, peace, and prosperity. May his passing inspire the SPLM/A cadres to reevaluate the ultimate sacrifices they made during the conflict and everything they had to struggle through, including injuries, illness, and starvation. We want them to refocus and reenergize their goals for the well-being of South Sudan's citizens.

St. Paul says in his epistle to Timothy, his son in the Lord; in Tim. 4:7-8, that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

My sympathies and condolences go out to the family, friends, and members of the community at large. Although a great man is gone, his actions will always be a part of us. Go well, Biordit and enjoy the fruits of your work as stated in the book of Revelations 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” You are a son of legendary figure who met his demise due to this country in 1967 with many others. Speak with your allies and the colleagues who went before you, and make the decision to make amends here so that your sacrifices and efforts can be used to support South Sudan's poorest people, widows, widowers, and orphans.

My special condolences to Awak Bior Ajang, the wife of my dear brother Arok Yak Duot and her daughters and the entire family of Pan Yak Duot-Leerbuk.

Rest in eternal peace my best friend!

Thanks

By Simon Yak Deng