The Dongjol Dinka section in Akoka County of Upper Nile State is mourning the death of their traditional divine leader, Monyjok Deng Ayuel.
The spiritual leader died on Monday in a hospital in Juba at the age of 65 after a short illness.
Ayuel had been at the helm of the community transitional spiritual powers for several years.
The chairperson of the Dongjol community in Upper Nile State, Diu Ayong, told Radio Tamazuj that the death of the spiritual leader was a great loss at a time when the community was in dire need of his great role in uniting them.
“The role of the spiritual leader is ensuring peace and stability. We have lost someone who was a uniting factor for the Dongjol community. He was the official representative of the Ayondit who is the greater spirit divine leader,” Ayong said.
He pointed out that the deceased had dedicated his beliefs for the sake of peace and stability in Upper Nile State and South Sudan in general.
Ayong explained that the burial and the selection of Monyjok’s successor would be held according to the traditions of the Dongjol section in the Rochok area, the stronghold of the late spiritual leader.
“The burial ceremony will take place at night and not everyone will attend. It will be done by the clan based in Rochok. The new leader will play the same role as Monyjok and everyone will be invited to attend the inauguration ceremony,” he said.
Ayong sent his condolences to the people of Upper Nile.