Ajuongdit paramount chief dies at 80

AWEIL — The veteran paramount chief of Madhol Payam in Aweil East County, South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Lual Malong Yor, passed away at the age of 80 at Aweil Civil Hospital on Saturday morning following a prolonged illness, according to family sources.

His young stepbrother Diing Malong Yor stated that Lual Malong Yor passed away due to diabetes after struggling with it for several years.

Diing announced that Lual passed away at Aweil Civil Hospital on Saturday morning before he could undergo surgery on his feet, as amputation had been planned for both of his legs.

“He had been suffering from a diabetic infection for ages, and that has eventually killed him,” Diing said in a Facebook statement seen by Sudans Post on Saturday.

Diing said doctors had planned for an amputation, but it was discovered that the patient was anemic.

“As people were rushing for his life, he was found suffering from malaria, and all these infections combined to kill Chief Lual Malong.”

Diing said the late Lual was recognized for his contribution to the community and as a freedom fighter.

Lual succeeded his father, Malong Yor Lual, also known as Malong Muor-Anguek, who passed away on August 10, 2020.

His father, the late Malong, was third in the reign of the Ajuong chieftaincy and served as a significant figure in the community.

His father was appointed as paramount chief of Ajuongdit in 1955, just before Sudan’s independence.

He is survived by several sons and wives.

His family is expected to take him to his home village of Madhol Payam, where he will be laid to rest on a date to be announced.

Government officials from Greater Ajuong, the entire Aweil East County, and the Greater Northern Bahr El Ghazal state are mourning his life this week.