South Sudan Mourns Loss of Edward Lino Wuor Abyei

South Sudanese politician Edward Lino Wuor Abyei has passed away on Wednesday, 15 April 2020 at the age of 74 of an unidentified illness in Bangalore, India.

He was one of the original and leading members of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), leading its involvement in the disputed region of Abyei. Since joining SPLM in 1983, he held several positions, including former Abyei chief administrator, former Blue Nile administrator, commanded Kapotea in 1989 and West-Equatoria in 1990 – 91, commanded Tonj-Wau-Raga in 1995 -97, directed external security of SPLM from 1997 – 2000 and represented the SPLM in Germany, USA and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He has been imprisoned several times throughout his career.

He was the co-chair of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) and a member of Sudan African Congress (SAC) from 1984 – 87.

Born in Abyei, Sudan in February 1946, Abyei pursued an education in law at the University of Khartoum but discontinued during his fourth year in 1973 due to political reasons. He began to teach at Rubmek Secondary School in 1973 – 75 then joined the private sector in 1975 – 78. He then joined the Regional Development Co-operation (RDC) from 1978 – 87. He then moved onto journalism working as a journalist for at least five years in more than four newspapers.

Abyei has worked closely with the late Sudanese politician and revolutionary leader John Garang (1983 to 2005), and wrote and published a book about the leader in 2017 called Dr John Garang De Mabior Atem: A Man to Know.

My heart pour in grief and solidarity to the family and friends of Comrade Edward Lino Wuor Abyei. He was an icon, liberator and a freedom fighter. People whom you liberated will dearly miss you.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/7cl4b4ZbnG

— Mach Nhial🇸🇸⚖ (@nhial_mach) April 16, 2020

I’m particularly touched & enraged that Edward Lino Wuor Abyei, 1 of the best minds on #SouthSudan identity, revolution, liberation, someone who gave the word “struggle” more meaning than anyone else, besides John Garang, should die & be unceremoniously buried. Rest well old fox!

— Jok Madut Jok (@jokmadut) April 15, 2020

Rest In Peace Edward Lino Wuor Abyei!❤️
وداعا كومرد إدوارد لينو❤️
،،
كل لقاء معه كان حكاية. كان لطيفا وأنيقا في الزي والفكر.
فقد عظيم بحق.
رحمة الله تغشاك ورفاقك الميامين الذين سبقوك.#السودان_الحظر_الكامل #غرفه_طوارئ_الحي⁩ pic.twitter.com/r7M6Yn1I9t

— Raja’a El Abasi (@Portopalm) April 16, 2020

#RIP General Edward Lino Wuor Abyei. A great liberator, mentor and political figure in #Abyei & #SSudan. 1983 he welcomed & connected #DrGarang to Ethio’s Mengistu that supported the movement. He passed on having different image & opinions for SSD. pic.twitter.com/AXFT1T2l2c

— Matizzo Paulino De Guin (@DeMatizzo) April 15, 2020