South Sudan president mourns the death of Samson Kwaje

August 1, 2010 (JUBA) - General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the semi autonomous regional government of southern Sudan (GoSS) in its capital, Juba, on Sunday broke down into tears upon receiving news on the passing away of Samson Kwaje in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

The death took place at Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi in the early morning hours of Sunday. He was a minister of agriculture and forestry in GoSS.

Kwaje was admitted in the hospital in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for the last three weeks under critical condition with failure of his both kidneys and lung disease.

Kwaje was one of the senior members of southern ruling party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). He was one of the closest ministers to the president as he held membership at political bureau, a highest political organ in the SPLM structure, compromising 27 members under chairman of Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Prior to his death, Kwaje held a lot of high-level assignments both in the movement and government. He was the SPLM official spokesperson during the two decades of civil war between the south and north, a position he held till the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 in Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The late SPLM figure was a target of an assassination attempt last year when he was ambushed by armed groups intending to kill him over territorial rivalry, between Juba and Lainya County, central Equatoria State.

Kwaje sustained slight injuries in the assassination attempt though one of his bodyguards was killed instantly and another was seriously injured before succumbing to death as well.

He returned to South Sudan months before the April elections and was made the SPLM presidential campaign manager, touring all ten southern state capitals, counties and villages as key figure in presidential entourage. He also won a seat in South Sudan parliament in his constituency of Lainya County.

Addressing mourners in his house while shedding tears, Kiir said the death of Kwaje "has left a big void and it is a great loss to the Great Movement and indeed to the Entire region".

"We have lost a national hero. His death has created and left a big gap particularly in the SPLM leadership and indeed to the entire region," said Kiir at the deceased's resident in Juba.

Kwaje's body is expected to be flown on Monday from Nairobi. Kiir told Kwaje's family that it is not the responsibility of the family or Pojulu community alone to pay and cover all the burial and funeral expenses but that GoSS would also contribute to cover the cost.

Two senior Ministers; Cirino Hiteng Ofuho from the Office of the President and his Parliamentary Affairs counterpart, Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth flew to Nairobi yesterday to accompany the body.

Kiir said it was just two days ago that they "commemorated the death of our Hero and Great Leader Late John Garang, and it only two days later we have lost Samson Kwaje. The name of the Samson Kwaje is added to the list and names of martyrs, heroes and heroines who were martyred for freedom and justice,".

He also announced a three-day national mourning in all the states of South Sudan to the spirit for three days effective Sunday. He ordered that all South Sudan flags and flags in GoSS Missions and institutions abroad to be flown at half-staff during this period.

Former agriculture and forestry and parliamentary affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomoro, from South Sudan Democratic Forum party, while receiving president Kiir in house of the late minister said he was saddened by what he described as "uncalled and untimely death that it was difficult to overcome terms with reality".

"I was even in Lainya yesterday when this death occurred and received the news with shock because I did not believed it happened. Confidently I say Kwaje was not just a leader, friend of mine but a good shepherd as one can tell from public out cries," he said adding that he was an outstanding contributor to the development of the region.

"When I left the ministry, I left it knowing that the right person has replaced me and indeed he did that beyond the expectation I had. All the programs and projects which I initiated were implemented and more were added," said Martin.

Additionally, Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol, a former minister in the central government and a senior member of the SPLM said Kwaje was a "national hero".

Source: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article35825