By Martin Manyiel Wugol
South Sudan and Lakes State in particular lost a statesman who had a country at heart, Major General Matur Chut Dhuol, soldier and veteran of liberation struggle who fought the war of liberation which allowed independence of South Sudan to happen.
Late Hon, former Governor of Lakes State and a decorated SSPDF officer who fought for liberation struggle and died as hero and doyen of freedom of South Sudan, did his best in the struggle he participated in.
Gen Matur Chut Dhuol was most respected and prominent person who believed in total liberation of South Sudan until he died yesterday 23, January 2024 after long illness that sadly claimed his dear life, but late have done a good job in liberating people and entire country from bad system who refused South Sudanese people not to be part of governance but always subjected to suffering and bad politics of sectarianism and tribalism in the Sudan a politics Gen Matur Chut and his comrades rejected by opposing Khartoum government until South Sudan became independence country in 9, Jully,2011.
Gen Matur Chut Dhuol was a soldier with political ideological conviction given situation South Sudanese were subjected in the country by regime in Khartoum, he was among the first comrades who believed in taking firearms to liberate the country through military means instead of wasting time on political struggle to liberate South Sudan that was no longer fashionable method of solving problems South Sudanese went through in the country.
At personal level, and native of Lakes State, I knew Gen Matur Chut Dhuol a long time ago, especially during the struggle days in Lakes State when he was area commander operating in Rumbek.
Late Gen Matur Chut was having Motorcycle I still vividly remember white in color, very rare in the entire region of Bahr el Ghazal. When he passed by, children started running after him mentioning his name. “Motor Matur Chut, Motor Matur Chut “.
And late Gen Matur Chut was someone who is brave and always willing to do take risk regardless of dangerous situation, and he does not show fear in difficult or dangerous situations as a reaffirmation of real commander who never refused orders from his senior officers because he was a field commander who loved supporting soldiers in the frontline whereby he was known as a fearless SPLA officer who actively participated in many operations during liberation days.
Politically, late Gen Matur Chut was a man of development and mentor to young comrades in the field of politics in Lakes State and South Sudan in general. I was happy when I visited him last Sunday but sadly passed on peacefully as a hero of freedom and a man of the people.
A hero never dies
On behalf of family and Lakes State, may the soul of Gen Matur Chut rest in peace, Amen.
The Author is a journalist and diplomat.