Major General Essaq Abdalla Anywaa, a revered figure in South Sudan’s Prison Service, passed away in Pibor Town where he had been serving as the deputy director of the service in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), a government official announced.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Jacob Werchum Jouk, the GPAA information minister, said the area’s deputy prison service commander died on Saturday after a short illness. He said his body was airlifted to Juba Sunday where the funeral is taking place.
“Major-Gen. Essaq Abdalla died on Saturday after a very short illness,” he said. “According to his family, the deceased was battling high blood pressure and he had collapsed before passing on.”
The minister eulogized Gen. Abdalla as a nationalist and said his death was a great loss.
“The deceased had worked with us for over a year. He was experienced and well-educated. His service to the people of Pibor will be missed,” he stated.
Tributes have been pouring in since the news of the tragic death.
His colleague, Lilo Kodi, said a huge void has been left behind.
“May your soul rest in eternal peace my brother, friend, and colleague. You were among the first to have graduated from the University of Cairo and served in the prison service for 40 years. Rest in peace. God gives and God takes,” he said.
For her part, Christina Philip, a family member, said the death saddens them.
“Your untimely death is a great loss to the family,” she said. “God has taken you away and we pray that your soul rests in eternal peace.”
A graduate of the College of Arts in the University of Cairo (Khartoum Branch), Gen. Essaq Abdalla has served in the prison service since the 1980s rising to the rank of Major General. He hailed from the Anyuak ethnic group.