13/02/2026
đź”´EXLUSIVE || TBTS SSD
KOK●Without William Nyuon, John Garang wouldn’t have led the struggle movement
James Kok Ruea, a Member of Parliament representing Fangak County in the NTLA, highlighted the pivotal role of William Nyuon Bany in South Sudan’s liberation struggle, describing him as “the one having force” who ultimately shaped the leadership of the SPLM/A.
Speaking about the early days of the rebellion in 1983, Ruea said, “William Nyuon rebelled in Ayod on the 6th of June 1983. he captured Ayod and put all the Arabs in the wells and formed a formidable force.”
He explained that when differences arose among the movement’s leaders in Ethiopia, “Everybody had no army. It was only William Nyuon who had 780-armed troops. You could not imagine,” he stated.
He added, “This gave Nyuon the authority to influence the SPLM’s hierarchy. After they ran away, then William Nyuon decided that Dr. John, you are the chairman and commander in chief. The two positions that were divided. William Nyuon was the one who decided on this.”
The SPLM’s formation, he noted, was a direct result of Nyuon’s leadership and discipline.
“The person they were fearing was William Nyuon, because he was the one having army,” he noted, dismissing ethnic narratives that often overshadow the contributions of Nuer fighters.
According to him, historical distortions persist, but the facts remain clear.
“History must remain as it is, whether some people are trying to distort the history to suit their interests, a time would come when they will be ashamed. Because you cannot twist history,” he stressed.
Kok emphasized that credit for South Sudan’s struggle belongs to all its people, but acknowledged that in the strategic and military dimensions of the liberation movement, William Nyuon’s role was decisive.
“He was the one having the force. Without William Nyuon, John Gordon would have not been a leader,” he said.
In revisiting the story of independence, it becomes clear that the early victories of the SPLM were not merely political, they were guided by the vision and authority of those like William Nyuon, whose leadership set the foundation for South Sudan’s fight for freedom.