Former governor of S. Sudan’s Central Bank dies age 77
October 30, 2014 (JUBA) – Elijah Malok Aleng, the former governor of South Sudan’s Central Bank has died aged 77.
Malok, according to relatives, died in Kenya on Thursday.
“We received the news of uncle Malok’s death with sadness,” said Deng Dau, a lawmaker representing Twic East county in Jonglei state from where the ex-governor hails.
The deceased’s body, he added, will be flown to the country’s capital, Juba on Monday next week.
An economist, the ex-governor witnessed the introduction of South Sudanese Pounds currency, prior to the country’s cessation from in July 2011, replacing Sudanese Pounds.
In August 2011, Malok was sacked as bank governor and succeeded by Kornelio Koriom, who is still at the helm.
Born in 1937 in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, Malok attended Rialbek Bush School, later Malek Primary School before joining Juba Intermediate and Juba Commercial senior secondary schools.
He attended the Free University of Congo, Fribourg Catholic University in Switzerland, and Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
In May 1982, Malok was elected a Member of Parliament representing Bor North constituency in Sudan’s regional parliament, but joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in 1983.
During the liberation struggle, the former bank governor played various roles for the rebel movement, including working as a political commissar, second in command on the Blue Nile front, commander of the Eagle Battalion, and at one time special envoy to West Africa.
Malok’s other task, during the civil war days, was to advise SPLM/A chairman on mainly economic and other financial related matters.
However, following the 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Malok became deputy governor of Sudan’s Central Bank and later as South Sudan’s Central Bank governor.
(ST)