Machar mourns passing of Pagan Amum’s father

March 9, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – Father to the former SPLM secretary general, Pagan Amum, paramount chief Okiech, died on Sunday in Kodok town of Upper Nile state.

In a brief statement he posted on his facebook page on Sunday, Amum, said his father was a great man.

“We lost our father, Edward Amum Okiech today in Kodok town. He lived his life and fulfilled his purpose. He has been a great father. We thank God for the gift of Amum, may the Lord rest his in peace,” he said.

South Sudan’s former vice-president and leader of the opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, said the death of paramount chief Edward Amum Okiech was a loss to his entire family and the country.

“I have learnt with deep sorrow the passing away of paramount chief Edward Amum Okiech which occurred on 8 March. On behalf of the SPLM/SPLA and on behalf of my family I want to convey my condolences to Comrade Pagan Amum, Comrade Banguot Amum and the entire family for the loss,” former vice-president, Riek Machar, said in his statement on Monday.

He said late Okiech had done his part in the long struggle to achieve independence of South Sudan.

The chief died after a long illness.

(ST)