RUMBEK—Paramount Chief Madol Mathok Agolder, a long-serving traditional leader in South Sudan’s Lakes State who supported the then Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) during the liberation struggle, has died at the age of 87.
Mathok, also known as Agut-kec, died on Wednesday in Juba following a prolonged illness, according to local officials and community members.
Manyiel Riak Manyiel, caretaker commissioner of Rumbek Central County, confirmed the death and said he had informed Lakes State caretaker governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor.
Manyiel said the late SPLM leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior and President Salva Kiir Mayardit knew Mathok during the liberation struggle, particularly for his contributions to the SPLA between 1983 and 2005.
He said the late chief would also be remembered for his role in promoting peace within the Agar community of Lakes State.
Emmanuel Mading Manon, a member of the Kuei community in Rumbek Central County, said the late chief became an executive chief in 1976 following the death of his elder brother, Maker Mathok. He said Mathok was recalled from the Sudan Police Service to succeed his brother.
Mading said the chief played an important role in mobilising young people to join the SPLA and organising food supplies for its fighters. Communities under Mathok’s leadership also hosted SPLA garrisons during the war, he added.
He was among several influential traditional leaders who supported the liberation movement in areas under SPLA control, alongside the late Matab Yoro of Wulu County, Kuac Manyiel and Malual Kodi, Mading said.
“The late paramount chief Madol Mathok was a great supporter of the SPLA liberation struggle, in which he mobilized youths to join the SPLA movement, and his area has hosted SPLA garrisons in which he mobilized food from the community to feed the SPLA liberation movement soldiers,” Mading said.
He described the chief’s death as a painful loss, saying Mathok had made sacrifices during the liberation struggle but died before seeing the benefits of those efforts.
“The late paramount chief Madol Mathok has just left this world today without us having to him so that he should see and benefit from what he sacrificed himself as a chief during the SPLA movement,” he said.
Daniel Kon Dhelbeny, a resident of Rumbek Central County, described Mathok as a respected elder and peacemaker whose death had shocked the community.
Kon said the late was previously taken to India for medical treatment after President Kiir facilitated his trip. The community members had hoped he would recover, he added.
Community members said Mathok’s body remained in Juba as arrangements were made to transport him to Rumbek for burial.
Mathok’s death marks the end of decades of traditional leadership in Rumbek Central County. His legacy includes his role in community affairs and his support for the SPLA during the liberation struggle that culminated in South Sudan’s independence in 2011.