'Big people' played role in Gen. Bior’s death - family
Gen. Bior Kuir Deng, a family member, speaks during the requiem mass at Emmanuel Parish in Juba on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. | Credit | Daniel Garang Deng/TRC

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.