The Enduring Legacy of Nuer Prophets in the Political and Military Affairs of South Sudan
By PaanLuel Wël, Juba, South Sudan
Sunday, 30 March 2025 (PW) — The enduring saga of Nuer prophets in South Sudan’s political theater reads like a divine comedy with serious consequences. Whether facing down British colonial rulers or South Sudanese governments, the Nuer spiritual leaders have often been the wild card in the country’s political and military affairs. And true to form, they remain at the center of events today in President Kiir’s South Sudan.
During the colonial era, Lou Nuer prophets Ngundeng Bong Chan and his son and successor, Agwek Ngundeng Bong, were key figures in Nuer resistance against British rule while also shaping the ever-tense Nuer-Dinka relationship.
Fast forward to 1991, and another prophet, Wurnyang, emerged as a spiritual engine behind the Nasir faction and the Nuer White Army’s brutal campaign in Jonglei. Following Dr. Riek Machar’s political coup in Nasir, Wurnyang’s divine guidance led the Nuer White Army on a devastating rampage through Dinka communities in Hol, Nyarweng, Twic, and Bor, culminating in the tragic massacre in Mading-Bor.
History repeated itself in 2013 when Lou Nuer Prophet Dak Kueth took up the mantle, rallying the White Army in Jonglei state, nearly pushing government forces back to Mangala, at the doorstep of Juba City.
In 2025, following yet another White Army assault on the government garrison in Nasir, which left government forces decimated, Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak Thel dead, and heavyweights like FVP Dr. Riek Machar, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, and SSPDF Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Duop Lam behind bars, Lou Nuer Prophet Dak Kueth and Gawaar Nuer Prophet Makuach Tut find themselves with front-row tickets to South Sudan’s potential second civil war.
Historical patterns suggest these Nuer spiritual leaders typically oppose whoever holds power, from British colonial administration to Dr John Garang’s SPLM/SPLA to President Kiir’s government. It’s almost as if “anti-establishment” is written into their celestial job description.
However, in a twist worthy of biblical proportions, South Sudan is now officially courting spiritual solutions to its earthly problems. Vice President for Economic Cluster Dr Benjamin Bol Mel Kuol and the newly appointed Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok have hurriedly dispatched a well-oiled peace delegation to prophets Dak Kueth of Lou Nuer and Makuach Tut of Gawaar Nuer.
After meeting with this high-level diplomatic charm offensive, the prophets issued statements suggesting even divine opposition has its price.
Prophet Makuach Tut embraced conditional peace: “If there is peace, let’s there be calm in Juba. Let them implement the peace agreement until it’s time for elections. Once the election comes, the citizens will decide on who should lead them.”
Meanwhile, Prophet Dak Kueth displayed a surprising pivot: “I greet Salva Kiir, I am Dak Kueth. I greet Bol Mel, I am Dak Kueth. This time round we support the government of Salva. Lou Nuer are for peace.”
Apparently, even heaven’s representatives can change their divine minds when the diplomatic overture is sufficiently well-oiled, demonstrating that in South Sudan, the path to peace might require equal parts political savvy and spiritual diplomacy.
If you want to submit an opinion article, commentary, or news analysis, please email it to the editor: info@paanluelwel.com or paanluel2011@gmail.com. PaanLuel Wël Media (PW) website does reserve the right to edit or reject material before publication. Please include your full name, a short biography, email address, city, and the country you are writing from.
About Post Author
