Gen. James Hoth Mai: Eulogy and Tributes in Honour of the Fallen Hero Amb. Gen. Bior-Aswad Ajang Duot

Eulogy at Gen. Bior Ajang Duot funeral

24^th August 2024

Medan Simba.

Excellency VPs

Senior advisor

Family of late Bior Ajang

Church Leaders 

All mourners 

Ladies and gentlemen 

As we gather here today, united by the love and deep sense of loss of a remarkable person, Gen. Amb. Comrade, Bior Ajang Duot known to his colleagues as Bior Aswed, or Bior Chol, Bior Biting, Bior Algises and many other nicknames he stacked up due to his loving nature. I came to know Bior in 1984 when both of us were deployed in the headquarters of Dr John Garang. More than a decade later we were among the first commanders commissioned to Major Generals and appointed deputies to Chief of General Staffs in 2005. Bior and I, throughout the long struggle, shared many successes and setbacks.

Bior, in his life time, was a grandpa, a father, a husband, an uncle, a son, a friend, a liberator, a devout Christian, a mentor, a community leader, a commander, a healer, a counsellor and many other qualities he possessed.

Gen. Bior was a beacon of hope, a pillar of strength, a companion in joy or sorrow. Bior was a good father, a man of integrity and love for his children. Hetaught them the values of hard work, honesty, potency and compassion. Biorwas a marvelous husband to his wife and his greatest strength was his ability to make his wife and children feel comfortable, secured and loved.

Gen. Bior was not just only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher to many of us. He taught and demonstrated to us resilience in the face of adversity. Bior had outstanding life full of extraordinary moments and simple joys. He was of humble persona; you don’t need time to friend him. A friend to all; he can easily forgive and have no time to hold grudges. Bior was a problem solver. Hewould be there for you during difficult times. He valued friendship more than blood relation; treating every person he met with kindness and respect. Above all, he was a man of integrity whose actions spoke louder than words.

Gen. Bior was a liberator, a hero, a comrade in arms, a true embodiment of strength, courage and resilience. He was an inspiration to all his soldiers throughout our struggle. He was our rock, our guiding light and hope in Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army during turbulence times in the movement. He was a fighter, a warrior who confronted any challenge with fierce determination. Hewas among commanders who kept the SPLM/SPLA a live when the movement split in 1991.

Comrade Bior was a Jack of all trade. 

• Bior could have died during the battle of Jekow in 1987, when they were cornered in the river bank by the enemy.

• Bior Chol could have died during Bright Star campaign in Eastern Equatoria where he fought many battles that led to the liberation of Eastern Equatoria in 1989. 

• Aswed could have died in liberation of kaya, morobo and Lanya while the preparation for the liberation of Western Equatoria was underway in 1990.

• Bior Biting could have died when he moved with his forces from Nabangacrossing many rivers without bridges to capture Ibba which he did in 1990.

• Bior Algises could have died in the battle of Maridi when he  pushed the enemy out posts into town that led to the capture of Maridi in 1991. 

• Comrade Bior could have died when SPLM/SPLA witnessed a devastating split in 1991 when he led the ops against Nasir faction in Bor, Jalle,and Lilir.

• Bior could have died when the OJS was launched against Juba in 1992. 

• Bior could have died in 1998 when we fought the LRA while crossing to Sudan by then, and in operations that liberated Liria cutting Torit from Juba. 

• Bior could have died when he was sent to open Darfur front travelling by planes manufactured 30 to 40 years earlier. Those flights were operated under turbulent weather of Darfur and where there was possibility of being shot down by enemy fire. 

It was only by grace of God, that Bior survived all those operations so as to witness the independence of South Sudan in 2011 and to contribute in its development in different capacities.

Bior was a community leader he died as a chairperson of Twic East community. He was a sportsman, a remarkable basketball player. He was a God-fearingbeliever who could spend much of his Sunday in the church. Biorunquenchable thirst for education was one of his priorities he died as a PHD candidate. In Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” Bior did that.

Commander Bior detested and will continue to do it where he is now in haven tribalism, nepotism and above all corruption. As we bit farewell to him,Bior died without wealth; he has no family house and no bank account. Gen. Bior was a source of unity within the SPLA forces, a man who has never set foot outside of the SPLM/SPLA. In some instances, Bior would encounter difficulties that could have a negating bearing to his forces, but he faced them with unusual bravery that really inspiredothers, and turn obstacles and setbacks into opportunities and victories. Bior was a joker and storyteller, he would entertain his force with jokes and stories and made them to laugh, if you hear DrJohn Garang laughing too much CDRBior was around him.

As we bid farewell and say goodbye to Gen. Amb. Comrade Bior Ajang Duot,whom we deeply loved, let us recall the valuable lessons he taught us. Let us reflect of his kindness, empathy; let us make his legacy our goal to be an important source of guidance and a helping hand in the lives of others. Excellency Gen. Bior left to us message of unity, reconciliation  comradeship, forgiveness and above all tenacity not to give up the mission and objectives of the SPLM. Let the spirit of Bior fill us with love and togetherness for development of a prosperous South Sudan. May we get inspired in his unwavering determination; may his memories guide us as we confront the economic, security and environmentalhardship. May the lord heal the mother of Bior’s children his wife Man Awake.May God give his children strength and wisdom to fill the shoes of their father.

Commander Bior, Bior Aswed, Biorbiting, Bior the hero, Bior the Liberator,on behalf of your colleagues and on my own behalf I want to let you know that, your legacy of courage, resilience, strength, humbleness, wisdom and above all your love for your country andits people, will continue to guide us and inspire us for many years to come.

Let me end with a quote from our national anthem;

“ Oh Great patriots, let us stand up in silence and respect saluting our martyres whose blood cemented our national foundation , we vow to protect our nation Oh God bless South Sudan”

Thank you all

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