Arok Thon Arok was a politician from Southern Sudan. He first served in the Sudanese military before he joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army in 1983. He joined the Sudan government after his satisfaction with Sudan People Liberation Army. He was therefore, given the 5th position in the high-ranking command of the SPLA.
Contents |
Commander Arok Thon Arok was a Dinka Twic/Tuic East[1] from the Twic community of Kongor. He is known by some to be related to Dr. John Garang De Mabior. Commander Arok was in Kongor in 1984 to 1985 as the regional commander for Bor. He almost died of thirst between Juba and Bor when he and his troops travelled in an area where there was no water. He patiently, endured and survived the trauma. He was succeeded by Commander Kuol Manyang Juuk as the leader in Bor. Commander Arok Thon Arok had a strong personality. He had some disagreements with the leadership of Dr. John Garang. In 1987 his wife died and he went to London to place his children in school.
Rumors had it that Commander Arok was imprisoned and later dismissed by Dr. John Garang de Mabior after he secretly made an agreement with the Sudanese government officials in London. His plan was to overthrow Dr. Garang and lead SPLA back to Sudan. Despite such act of trying to overthrow Dr. Garang, he never meant to betray Southern Sudan. He was one of the commanders under whom safety and protection was experienced by the SPLA soldiers.
In early 90s Commander Arok Thon Arok returned to Khartoum. He was known as the leader of Twic/Tuic East group which was part of the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed by Dr. Riek Machar and the Sudanese government.
Commander Arok Thon Arok left Khartoum with the first Vice-president of Sudan Mr. Zubeir to the little town called Nasir near Malakal. He and other officers perished as the plane plunged into the Sobat River. The following were in that ill-fated plane. First Vice President Zubeir. Commander Arok Thon Arok. Governor Tongyiik Tut. Colonel Elijah Manyok Lual, Mr. Gang Chol Joak and Dr. Lam Akol who managed to escape and survived the tragedy. Commander Arok Thon Arok Continues to be one of the respected Southern Sudanese politicians in the history of Sudan's politics.