William Nyuon Bany

William Nyuon Bany
Personal details
Died 1996
Military service
Allegiance SPLA

William Nyuon Bany (died 1996) was a Southern Sudanese politician who was also a high-ranking officer in The Sudan People's Liberation Army. While he worked as a commander of the SPLA he lived in Itang, a small Ethiopian town in the Gambela Region. He was older than Dr. John Garang, Salva Kiir, Arok Thon Arok.

Brief Biography

Commander William was a Nuer from Ayot. He was also related to the Dinka. He spoke Nuer, Arabic, Amharic, and some English. He is survived by a number of widows and children. General Bany's widow, Abuoch, was a main speaker during Martyr's Day celebrations in Juba 2012. In presence of Salva Kiir.[1] In politically charged current issues, it has been claimed that Salva Kiir secretly and traditionally married the daughter of the late Gen. William Nyuon Bany, who is a Nuer. The ceremony conducted by his elder brother in accordance with Dinka culture is said to have occurred in Bhar el Ghazal. This has caused public strife between Kiir's eldest daughter and Aluel Aluel William Nyuon Bany.[2] President Kiir himself remains silent and has not publicly commented on the marriage.

Military career

It is not clear whether Commander William was part of the Anyanya 1, however before the war broke out in Southern Town of Bor, he served as a Major in the Sudanese army in Ayot. He served as a commander in Sudan for a long time before he joined the rebellion in 1983. Bany and Kerubino Kuanyin Bol were two founders of SPLA before John Garang joined them. After he joined the SPLA he was appointed the 3rd high-ranking Commander after Kerubino Kuanyin Bol. Commander Salva was the 4th after William Nyuon Bany. Bany was also the Chief of Staff then a position currently occupied by Commander James Hoth Mai. He was appointed to the SPLM/SPLA Political-Military High Command.

Internecine Fighting

Commander William Nyuon Bany fought as an SPLA commander. In 1991 the SPLA-Nasir split from the SPLA. Although Bany remained with Garang and the main SPLA faction at that time, he left Garang's SPLA in 1992 at town of Pageri in Central Equatoria State. He did, however, try to rejoin Garang's SPLA but was killed in 1996 by one of the groups belonging to the South Sudanese armies based in Bentiu under the command of Peter Gadet. He is survived by a number of children most of whom live in the United States of America in Nebraska, Utah and Territories of Canada.

Peace Negotiations

Bany exerted efforts to help reach a solution for Sudan while he was living in Ethiopia as a member of the SPLA. He also supported the merging of the SPLA and Anyanya 2 in 1987. Bany visited Egypt in 1989 where he met hundreds of Sudanese students. He was fluent in Arabic and he encouraged many students to support the cause for freedom in Sudan. Dr. John Garang favored William Nyuon for his zeal, commitment and the fact that he was not a tribalist. He was a Southern Sudanese patriot who loved his people and the integrity of his land. The facts related to his death continue to be confusing as to who exactly was involved in his assassination. It is alleged that Bany was killed by mainly Nuer according to the eyes witness, as during the 90's tribal tensions between the Nuer and the Dinka were very high. With the SPLA ruling elite composed of mostly Dinka officers, Bany rejoining the SPLA must have looked very dangerous to the Nuer. Bany's bodyguards were also killed in the attack.

References

  1. ↑ Birungi, Marvis. "South Sudanese Celebrate Martyrs' Day". Voice of America. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  2. ↑ The Nairobian. "Battles rock Salva Kiir family in Nairobi". Standard Media Group. Retrieved 2014-04-16.