By Yiep Joseph
Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak who was killed in Nasir County, Upper Nile State last week, has been laid to rest at Heroes Cemetery in Simba Grounds, Juba City.
The event, on Wednesday, was well-attended, concluded with full honors and a 21-gun salute.
Lt. Gen. Majur was tragically killed on March 7 while attempting to evacuate with the assistance of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He lost his life alongside 27 bodyguards in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The burial ceremony attracted a large gathering, including numerous government officials such as Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, along with Defense Minister Chol Thon, the Chief of Defense Forces, and many other generals and military personnel.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, the Vice President responsible for the Economic Cluster, led the nation in delivering a fitting sendoff for Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak.
In his address during the burial, he emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving misunderstandings.
“We all call for dialogue, as it brings peace,” Bol stated. He urged the citizens of South Sudan to unite and work together despite the challenges the country faces.
“We must embrace peace and support the government in its developmental processes,” he added.
Dr. Bol also urged South Sudanese to avoid taking the law into their own hands and seeking revenge.
“We call for calm throughout South Sudan and urge everyone to refrain from revenge, as it leads nowhere,” he expressed.
Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng, chairperson of the Gender and Youth Cluster, cautioned citizens against using Majur’s death as a pretext for inciting violence.
“For those of you using Majur’s death to promote violence and push your agenda, you must stop,” she said. She recalled her husband, John Garang, who died in 2005, and emphasized that his death did not mean the end of the country. “He only died with five people who were with him,” she noted, encouraging South Sudanese to focus on implementing the peace agreement.
Senior Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk expressed gratitude to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for granting a state funeral to the late Gen. David Majur Dak.
“We thank our President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and other regular forces, for honoring our brother Gen. Majur, who was killed in Nasir alongside his soldiers, with a state funeral,” he stated.
He assured that the government remains committed to ensuring the peace agreement is implemented.
Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Paul Nang Majok described the late SSPDF commander as a hero and a symbol of SPLA soldiers’ identity.
“We are very proud of Lieutenant General David Majur Dak, who died as a hero and a true man. He symbolized the identity of the SPLA soldiers and never turned his back on his enemy,” he commemorated.
“What I would like to convey to the public is that we at the SSPDF are honored to have David Majur laid to rest in the presence of his colleagues and family,” he added.