President Kiir holds hands with William Deng Garang at the State Secretariat. Photo credit: Office of the President.

Liberation war veteran Major General William Deng has revealed that President Salva Kiir provided him with 100,000 US dollars for medical treatment, along with a vehicle, following a recent encounter during SPLA Day celebrations.

Gen. Deng, a liberation war veteran and longtime friend of the President, made the remarks during a thanksgiving gathering he hosted for fellow veterans over the weekend.

He said he had written to President Kiir seeking support for treatment of an eye condition and assistance with transport.

“I wrote to the president that am sick, I have a problem with my eye and I do not have a car. The president responded and I was given a Vehicle and 100 thousand US dollar for medical expenses,” he said in a social media footage.

Gen. Deng had earlier come into national attention on May 16 during SPLA Day celebrations, where President Kiir spotted him among the crowd during the 43rd anniversary of the SPLM/SPLA movement.

During the event, President Kiir paused to recognise Gen. Deng in what was described as an emotional moment reflecting their wartime history.

President Kiir also hosted Gen. Deng at the state secretariat, where he acknowledged William Deng Garang as one of the comrades who remained committed during difficult periods of the struggle.