Arok Thon Arok
Encyclopedia
Arok Thon Arok was a politician from Southern Sudan. He first served in the Sudanese military before he joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army
in 1983. He joined the Sudan government after his satisfaction with Sudan People Liberation Army. He was therefore, given the 5th position in the high-ranking command of the SPLA.
Twic/Tuic East from the Twic community of Kongor. He is known by some to be related to Dr. John Garang De Mabior. Commander Arok was in Kongor in 1984 to 1985 as the regional commander for Bor
. He almost died of thirst between Juba and Bor when he and his troops travelled in an area where there was no water. He patiently, endured and survived the trauma. He was succeeded by Commander Kuol Manyang Juuk
as the leader in Bor. Commander Arok Thon Arok had a strong personality. He had some disagreements with the leadership of Dr. John Garang. In 1987 his wife died and he went to London
to place his children in school.
de Mabior after he secretly made an agreement with the Sudanese government officials in London
. His plan was to overthrow Dr. Garang and lead SPLA back to Sudan
. Despite such act of trying to overthrow Dr. Garang, he never meant to betray Southern Sudan. He was one of the commanders under whom safety and protection was experienced by the SPLA soldiers.
. He was known as the leader of Twic/Tuic East group which was part of the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed by Dr. Riek Machar
and the Sudanese government.
who managed to escape and survived the tragedy. Commander Arok Thon Arok Continues to be one of the respected Southern Sudanese politicians in the history of Sudan's politics.
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
in 1983. He joined the Sudan government after his satisfaction with Sudan People Liberation Army. He was therefore, given the 5th position in the high-ranking command of the SPLA.
Biography
Commander Arok Thon Arok was a DinkaDinka
The Dinka is an ethnic group inhabiting the Bahr el Ghazal region of the Nile basin, Jonglei and parts of southern Kordufan and Upper Nile regions. They are mainly agro-pastoral people, relying on cattle herding at riverside camps in the dry season and growing millet and other varieties of grains ...
Twic/Tuic East from the Twic community of Kongor. He is known by some to be related to Dr. John Garang De Mabior. Commander Arok was in Kongor in 1984 to 1985 as the regional commander for Bor
Bor, Sudan
-Location:The town of Bor is located in Bor South County, Jonglei State, in central South Sudan, approximately , by road, north of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country. The town is located on the east bank of the White Nile...
. He almost died of thirst between Juba and Bor when he and his troops travelled in an area where there was no water. He patiently, endured and survived the trauma. He was succeeded by Commander Kuol Manyang Juuk
Kuol Manyang Juuk
Kuol Manyang is a southern Sudanese politician. He is a member of the SPLM. He became governor of Jonglei state on 15 December 2007, following the first former governor, Philip Thon Leek from Dinka Nyarweng of Duk county, to curb cattle raiding and abduction of children in the region.- Biography...
as the leader in Bor. Commander Arok Thon Arok had a strong personality. He had some disagreements with the leadership of Dr. John Garang. In 1987 his wife died and he went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to place his children in school.
Imprisonment
Rumors had it that Commander Arok was imprisoned and later dismissed by Dr. John GarangJohn Garang
John Garang de Mabior was a Sudanese politician and rebel leader. From 1983 to 2005, he led the Sudan People's Liberation Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War, and following a peace agreement he briefly served as First Vice President of Sudan from January 2005 until he died in a July 2005...
de Mabior after he secretly made an agreement with the Sudanese government officials in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His plan was to overthrow Dr. Garang and lead SPLA back to Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. Despite such act of trying to overthrow Dr. Garang, he never meant to betray Southern Sudan. He was one of the commanders under whom safety and protection was experienced by the SPLA soldiers.
Return to Sudan
In early 90s Commander Arok Thon Arok returned to KhartoumKhartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
. He was known as the leader of Twic/Tuic East group which was part of the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed by Dr. Riek Machar
Riek Machar
Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon , is the first vice-president of the independent Republic of South Sudan.Riek Machar obtained a PhD in mechanical engineering in 1984 and then joined the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War...
and the Sudanese government.
Death
Commander Arok Thon Arok left Khartoum with the first Vice-president of Sudan Mr. Zubeir to the little town called Nasir near Malakal. He and other officers perished as the plane plunged into the Sobat River. The following were in that ill-fated plane. First Vice President Zubeir. Commander Arok Thon Arok. Governor Tongyiik Tut. Colonel Elijah Manyok Lual, Mr. Gang Chol Joak and Dr. Lam AkolLam Akol
Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin is a South Sudanese politician of Kenyan descent. He is the current leader of SPLM for Democratic Change , which he founded 6 June 2009...
who managed to escape and survived the tragedy. Commander Arok Thon Arok Continues to be one of the respected Southern Sudanese politicians in the history of Sudan's politics.