Lt.-Gen. Bior Ajang Duot's family has disclosed that he
died from a chronic disease following the denial of his visa to receive medical
care by "one of the big people".
Gen. Bior Kuir Deng, a family member who spoke during the
requiem mass at Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church where the late prayed,
said that the Late had started the travel process for treatment with family
support when the process got influenced, resulting in his death.
"He [Bior] applied for a visa to go to Australia for
treatment, but due to wickedness, evil forces influenced the process. I'm sorry
to say that one of the big people said, 'This Bior Asuod will not go to
Australia unless it's his mother who is in immigration to give him the visa
interview.' I was asked not to reveal this, but I'm an open person, and I must
tell you,” Kuir said.
The relative stated that Gen. Bior, who died last week,
had been struggling with heart complications for years. The family had
mobilized finances to take him abroad for treatment, but all had not succeeded.
“He had a heart disease and other illnesses, but the
family and those in Australia tried to take him to Australia so that he could
be treated, but the thing is that there are people who will always love to see
your life in danger,” Kuir claimed, referring to the unnamed people who
hindered the treatment.
Another family member, Isaiah Chol Aruai, said the Late’s
heart sickness and subsequent death can be attributed to stress of
responsibilities amidst limited resources.
Despite having longtime sickness, he was more drained by
the health of his wife, who has also been sick for a very long time.
“His wife has been sick for a very long time, and most of
the time, Bior had been focusing on the sickness of his wife. And to take care
of one's dear wife when there are no resources can be difficult. So, one of his
problems I suspect is the sickness of his wife,” Chol stated.
The Late Bior, an army general and a liberator, had
financial challenges that could not allow him to address his health
complications and those of family members like his wife.
In the whole situation, the government has been seen to
have not stood with him as one of the liberators.
His demise broke the heart of the nation, and he was
mourned bitterly.
“We are here today in an independent country because of
his contribution he did alongside other comrades, and that’s why the love we
have shown during his demise indicates that we recognize his contribution to
this country,” said Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, speaker of the Transitional
National Legislative Assembly.
"It's, however, sad that we were not there for him
when he needed the support to go for treatment.”
Speaker Jemma Nunu believes the Late's condition and the
challenges he encountered while seeking treatment abroad prevented him from
reaching President Salva Kiir, who should have intervened.
“I know sometimes it’s difficult to get the information
to His Excellency the president, and I think there must be a mechanism through
which, if a veteran like this needs assistance from the government, that
channel can be used to pass the information to our president,” Nunu explained.
“I know if the president knew that he needed support,
definitely he would have not failed to provide the necessary money needed for
him to go for treatment because the president has assisted other veterans who
were in similar situations to take them for treatment.”
Lt. Gen. Bior, who was also the chairperson of Twic East
Community, had just taken a shower when he collapsed and died in his house on
August 13, 2024.