The First Vice President has described the death of Manawa Peter Gatkuoth as a “great loss to the nation.”
Dr. Riek Machar said the late Minister was a hardworking individual who demonstrated his commitment to good leadership from his time as a student to the helm of government.
“This man, his work was remarkable in government – whether at the state or at the national level. He has done his best…very excellent,” Dr. Machar stated during the burial of Manawa in Juba today, adding that “In all his peers, he (Manawa) has participated in whether as the student leader or a youth leader.”
Manawa Peter died in Egypt on June 19. His body arrived in Juba from Cairo on Monday, June 27, and is buried at Simba square next to Giada military barrack in Juba.
A state funeral; a procession with a gun carriage and military contingents was conducted in honor of his outstanding service.
President Salva Kiir has declared three days of mourning in his honor.
The President described Manawa as “a strong leader and a committed nationalist with firm believes in reforms.”
Last week, Minister Manawa was hurriedly flown to Egypt from Juba for medical attention. Doctors in Cairo said he succumbed to “high blood pressure and chest pain that destroyed the main vein to his heart, stomach, and kidneys.”
He was 49.