South Sudan's President Pays Tribute to Late General Joseph Lagu Yanga

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit paid tribute on October 28, 2026, to retired General Joseph Lagu Yanga, who died in Juba on a Tuesday, according to the Office of the President. Kiir was in Russia at the time, taking part in the Russia-Africa Summit. His condolence message was delivered to Lagu's family in Juba by Caretaker Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima.

Kiir described Lagu as a towering nationalist and a liberation hero. He ordered national flags within the country and at South Sudan's diplomatic missions abroad to be flown at half-mast, the lowered position used as a sign of mourning, until Lagu is laid to rest.

Lagu was born on November 21, 1931, in Momokwe, a hamlet near the Sudanese border with Uganda, according to The New York Times. His father worked as a railway clerk. He was a former rebel commander, as Radio Tamazuj reported when his death was announced.

His family has welcomed a state funeral and confirmed that he will be buried in Juba, according to Eye Radio. Riek Machar also paid tribute to Lagu in court, as Eye Radio reported.