Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak of the SSPDF was laid to rest in Juba with full military honors following his death on March 7, along with 27 bodyguards. Senior officials called for peace and unity in South Sudan during the funeral, reflecting on the need for dialogue in the face of violence. The SSPDF confirmed plans to recover the bodies of the fallen troops.
Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak, the slain commander of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF), was honored with a funeral and a 21-gun salute at the Heroes Cemetery in Juba on Wednesday. He was tragically killed along with 27 bodyguards on March 7 in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, during a United Nations Mission in South Sudan operation to evacuate him.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, the Vice President responsible for the Economic Cluster, led a poignant farewell attended by senior government and military officials. He urged for unity and suggested that dialogue is essential for peace, emphasizing the need for composure in the face of tragedy. “To the youth, we call for calm all over South Sudan, refrain from revenge because revenge does not take people anywhere,” he stated.
Senior Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk expressed appreciation to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for allowing a state funeral for Gen. Dak. He praised the President as the commander-in-chief of the SSPDF for honoring Gen. Dak’s sacrifices alongside his soldiers killed in Nasir.
Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Paul Nang Majok honored the legacy of Lt. Gen. Majur, calling him a hero and a true embodiment of the SPLA soldiers’ identity. “We are very proud of Lieutenant General David Majur Dak, who died as a hero and as a man,” he said, assuring that the SSPDF would retrieve the bodies of the fallen troops from the incident in Nasir County.
The funeral of Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak serves as a significant moment, underscoring the sacrifices made by the South Sudan People’s Defense Force. The events surrounding his death highlight the ongoing challenges within the region, calling for unity and peace among the populace. Senior officials emphasized the importance of dialogue while honoring the late commander as a symbol of heroism.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
