Freelance journalist and author Manas James Okony launched his book, South Sudan: The Untold Stories of Liberation Struggles, at a ceremony in Juba on Saturday.
The event drew scholars, political figures and members of the public, serving as both a literary milestone and a moment of national reflection.
Okony thanked attendees for their support.
“The success of this launch was made possible by each one of you,” he said. “While I may not have named everyone, you all hold a special place in my heart.”
He said the idea for the book emerged from a 2021 conversation during a community event. The need to honor those who fought for South Sudan’s freedom, he said, motivated him to write it.
“Our history is filled with sacrifice, and I felt a responsibility to preserve these stories,” he added.
Notable attendees included academics Prf. Peter Adwok Nyaba, Dr. Abraham Kuol Nyuon and Garang Yach James, as well as Lt. Gen. David Okwir and Lt. Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu.
Nyaba praised the book’s condensed yet rich historical account.
“This small book contains knowledge that could fill volumes,” he said. “It documents the Anyuak people’s role in the struggle.”
Aleu called the book a vital reminder of the nation’s past.
“Manas has ensured we don’t forget the sacrifices that built this country,” he said, urging young people to document their own histories.
Nyuon, principal of Juba University’s Graduate College, said the book would spark national dialogue, particularly on historical disputes like the Ilemi Triangle.
Okony, a member of the Anyuak ethnic group, holds a public health degree from Upper Nile University.
Garang Yach James noted the book highlights often-overlooked contributions by minority groups.
“This is likely the first book to recognize the Anyuak’s role in supporting liberation movements,” he said.
The book is available at Juba’s Black Stone bookstore, through the author, and on Amazon and Africa Books Collective.