Renowned Leek Nuer spiritual elder dies at 101
April 30, 2016 (BENTIU) – A respected Leek-Nuer elder from South Sudan’s Rubkotna county has died at the age of 101.
Gen. Ruai Kuol Jal, an opposition appointed governor in Liech state said he received reports he received new on the sudden death of the renowned elder Saturday afternoon.
He said Bany’s death was a great loss to the people of Unity state, particularly the Leek-Nuer hailing from Rubkotna county.
“I, Lt. General Ruai Kuol Jal Thor, Governor of Lich State, do hereby, formerly announce to the general public about the passing of uncle Gat Tutroal. With the heartfelt condolence from the bottom of my heart, comforting the bereaved families of the deceased who lost a great man like him,” he said.
Kuol described Bany as a uniting factor whose legacy could only be compared to Ngundeng, a famous Nuer prophet
“His death will be a great loss to the people of Lich state as well as the whole country. The people of the state will never forget him throughout the history,” he further stressed.
Lam Tunguar Kweiguong, the minister of information and culture of Northern Liech state said the region will miss the presence of a respected and great elder from Leek-Nuer.
Many say his death occurred at a time when South Sudan had just formed a Transitional Government of National Unity.
Bany had 80 brothers. One of his grandsons is currently the head chief of Bentiu town.
(ST)