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Sudan Tribune

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Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia

By Manyang Mayom

May 31, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The body of Samuel Mathiang Keer the former Lakes state secretary of South Sudan’s ruling party – the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) – was laid to rest at his house in Makuric, in Rumbek, the state capital at midday on Sunday 29 May.

Former SPLA General and SPLM secretary in Lakes state, Samuel Mathiang Keer, who died in Australia May 14, pictured at Pacong ECS church, Rumbek East county, South Sudan in 2010 (Photo: Manyang Mayom / ST)
Former SPLA General and SPLM secretary in Lakes state, Samuel Mathiang Keer, who died in Australia May 14, pictured at Pacong ECS church, Rumbek East county, South Sudan in 2010 (Photo: Manyang Mayom / ST)
Mathiang died from leukemia two weeks ago in Australia where he went to seek medical care. His body was returned to South Sudan the day before his funeral. The soldier-turned politician was an army general in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), which fought against various Khartoum governments from 1983 until a peace deal in 2005.

In July South Sudan will becomes independent following a self-determination referendum in January, which was a key part of the 2005 agreement.

Until his death Mathiang remained the SPLM’s state secretary for Lakes.

Mathiang’s burial was attended by representatives from the South Sudan government led by former Lakes state governor and current South Sudan Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker – who also served in Lakes state as SPLM state chairman – Daniel Awet Akot, Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay, SPLM secretary of information Bol Makueng Yuol plus several state ministers, MPs and a large crowd of mourners, well-wishers and friends.

The state government ordered police to fire three live bullets into the air in honor of Mathiang and the police’s brass band played as his body was laid to rest.

Several mourners described Mathiang as an honest, transparent and God fearing leader. Daniel Awet Akot used the moment to urge citizens to turn away from vices such as hatred and jealousy that have made the state “an enemy of itself and is pulling the state down”.

An Episcopal Church Bishop offered prayers for the repose of the departed soul. The Bishop implored God to make the passing of Mathiang a moment of blessing and a time of peace in the state.

He prayed that the people of Lakes state do not continue to die in ambushes and shootings along the Wau-Cuiebet, Yirol or Wulu roads.

After the prayers Mathiang’s coffin, covered in the South Sudan flag, was lowered to his final resting place. A band and a three-gun salute accompanied the burial to bid farewell to the war hero.

Mathiang is survived by two wives and several children.

(ST)

6 Comments

  • Riak
    Riak

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    May he rest in peace.

    Reply
  • Alfredo christiani
    Alfredo christiani

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    That’s a great lost .May almighty god rest his soul in the eternal peace
    Nobody will fill his feet towards SPLM policies. Guys stop wrestling over his position

    Reply
  • Cibaipiath Junub Sudan
    Cibaipiath Junub Sudan

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    RIP Commarade Samuel Mathiang Keer. However, i warn those who wanted to snatched his garment before he was laid to rest. I want Lakes State Government to really take care of Late Mathiang’s kids.

    Reply
  • JAMES KUOI STEPHEN
    JAMES KUOI STEPHEN

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    I give my condolences to our late brother SPLA/SPLM secretary Samuel Mathiang,You have fought for an objective in your land of Cush,we will keep recalling whoever in our prayers, althought we are between Mountain Mountian,we will meet you to EVER SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST RIGHT HAND.
    Our Living God Almighty had created and save us throught our Lord Jesus who redeemed us. we often prayer for protection from our Lord Christ Jesus to leads us in prosperity by His Holy Spirit, He will leads us into the will of our Living God Almighty. That He will protect the lated family of Samuel Mathiang,

    Reply
  • Billiu Puoch
    Billiu Puoch

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    Sad news indeed to all of us for hearing such a death which occurs to our former Lakes State Secretary of South’s ruling party and SPLM at large.

    May Almighty Father rest his Soul in Peace and External life in Heaven.We will never and ever forget you late Samuel because you struggled a lots for this self determination we are in.

    My condoles goes to his family,neighbors and all his relatives who are mourning in different various places today.

    I ask the GOSS Office to assist the family of late Samuel Mathiang with financials support and also to carryout the serious investigation about this incident occurs.

    “If you don’t investigate the problem,then you don’t have right to talks about it”.

    Lord Hear our Prayers.

    Reply
  • Ming Dhal
    Ming Dhal

    Lakes state SPLM secretary buried in Rumbek after death in Australia
    May his soul rest in peace

    Really this is a great lost to Lake state and South Sudan in general i worked with Mathiang in 2007 during SPLM dissemination and i know how kind he is, the man with good experience and peace loving am really so sorry why God always takes good people? and leave the confused group like those disturbing our region
    Lake state gov’t should take care of those children left behind if God ‘s there an other Mathiang is among those kids

    Reply
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