General Paulino Matip Nhial, deputy commander in chief of the South Sudan Armed Forces, died on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, after a long illness.
Government spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin broke the news Wednesday afternoon in Juba.General Matip died in Karen Hospital in Nairobi at about 1:00 AM where he was being treated for diabetes and high blood pressure.
He was on his way to the United States for further treatment.
Dr Marial said citizens should mourn his untimely death because General Matip contributed to the unity and reconciliation in South Sudan.
He urged people to offer their condolences to General Matip’s family in their house in Juba until Friday.
Dr Marial said President Salva Kiir Mayardit will preside over the state funeral when the body of General Matip arrives in Juba on Friday.
Governor Taban Deng Gai of Unity State announced that General Matip will be buried in Mayom.
The Nuer general was the first powerful militia leader to make peace with the SPLA after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
On 8 January 2006, he signed the Juba Declaration integrating over 50,000 South Sudan Defence Forces militias into the SPLA and other organized forces.