The National Legislature paid homage to a former president of Southern Sudan and a member of the Council of States who died earlier in the week.
Gismalla Abdallah Rasas, 81, died on Sunday in Khartoum after a long illness.General Gismalla was the President of the High Executive Council of Southern Sudan between October 5, 1981 and June 23, 1982 after politicians failed to agree who would prepare regional elections.
The coffin with his remains was brought to the National Assembly for a state funeral on Wednesday.
Minority leader Onyoti Adigo Nyikwac said the MPs were not mourning the death of a great leader but celebrating the achievements of the President of the High Executive Council of Southern Sudan.
Mr Adigo said late General Gismalla should be buried in Wau with full military honours.
Deputy Speaker Daniel Awet Akot said the National Legislature was honouring a great military and a great man.
Mr Awet called General Gismalla “our great hero from Busere.”
He said the presidents of the High Executive Council should have a burial place of honour instead of being laid to rest in their villages.
Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin represented the Government during the honour ceremony. He told CRN that General Gismalla was a senior citizen of South Sudan.
He said the late General was national leader and a hero who did very well as President of the High Executive Council tasked with organizing the presidential elections.
Dr Marial said General Gismalla was born a Christian, converted to Islam after Military College and returned to the Church in his latter years.
The coffin with the remains of late General Gismalla was flown to Wau for burial.
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