Late Maj. Gen. Nicholas Dhiyier Dak - courtesy

“Major General Nicholas Dhiyier (SAEDA) Dak Jing joined the SPLA SPLM on June 6, 1983 in Ayod… [He] participated in major operations that either thwarted or neutralized the enemies completely during the liberation struggle. Among these major operations were the Ayod operations… Jikow operations… Rumbek operations… and lastly the Kaifa Kenji and Kaifa Debi operations in 2012.”

The biography of Major General Nicholas Dhiyier Dak Jing, who passed away on May 28, 2026, at the age of 64, was read out by his daughter, Nyalual Nicholas Dhiyier, during his funeral services on Saturday, June 13, in Juba.

Birth and Family Identity

Major General Nicholas Dhiyier Dak Jing was born on October 30, 1962, in Akobo County. He was the son of Dhiyier from the Chie-lony clan of Ulang County and Nyalual Banang from the Chie-minyel clan of Nasir County. His grandmother belonged to the Anyuak community of Akobo County.

Known within his immediate family circle by the name “D.R.,” coined after his grandfather, he also used the name “Sayyid” during his school years. This name was given by his grandfather, a businessman and sheikh in Akobo.

General Dhiyier was married to Joy Poni from the Bari community of Bilinyang village, Juba County. The marriage produced three children: Nyalual Nicholas Dhiyier, Dhiyier Nicholas Dhiyier, and Nyoech Nicholas Dhiyier. Born into a polygamous family, his surviving biological sibling is Julius Dhiyier Dak.

Education and Training Timeline

General Dhiyier completed his primary and secondary schooling before undergoing specialized military and administrative training across several decades:

• 1971–1976: Attended Akobo Primary School.

• 1977–1979: Attended Akobo Junior School.

• 1980–1983: Completed secondary education at Malakal Senior Secondary School, sitting for the Sudan Secondary School Certificate just before the outbreak of war in Bor.

• 1983: Completed military intelligence training at the Sadafa School of Military Intelligence in Ethiopia.

• 1984: Attended the Cadet for Revolutionary War Studies in Bonga (Shield 1).

• 1985: Undertook a military course at the Military College in the Republic of Cuba.

• 2007–2009: Obtained a Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Bahr el Ghazal.

• 2008: Attended the Bilpham Senior Command Skills course in Juba.

• 2024: Completed National Security Leadership training in Ethiopia.

Military Career and Deployments

General Dhiyier joined the SPLM/SPLA on June 6, 1983, in Ayod. He trained in Bonga as a sergeant before receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in 1984, serving as a combat intelligence officer. His career spanned numerous wartime and post-independence commands:

• 1984: Served as Military Intelligence Officer for Battalions 104 and 105, and took charge of the Jamus Battalion in Mangok.

• 1986: Served as Deputy Commander of the Mut Battalion.

• 1987: Appointed Commander in charge in Mangok.

• 1988–1990: Appointed Chief Intelligence Officer at the Itang Refugee Camp.

• 1990: Deployed to the Konanok campaign in Rumbek.

• 1991–1992: Appointed Commander of the Task Force at the headquarters of Commander William Nyuon Bany.

• 2007–2008: Served as Deputy Chief for Administration of Division 5 in Ramciel.

• 2009–2011: Served as Chief for Administration of Division 5 in Mapel.

• 2011–2012: Commander of Brigade 43 in Raja, Western Bahr el Ghazal.

• 2012–2013: Chief of Logistics for Division 8 Infantry in Bor, Jonglei State.

• 2018–2019: Stationed at Ground Force Headquarters in Juba.

• 2021–2024: Served as Chief of Logistics for Division 10 Infantry in Jonglei State.

Combat Operations and Promotions

During the liberation struggle and post-independence periods, General Dhiyier participated in several field operations. These included the Ayod, Deng Jok, and Kier operations (1984), Jikow (1984 and 1988), Malual Gahoth (1985), Rumbek (1990), Leer (1991), Liria (1991), Seif El Bur in Bor (1992), Bright Star Phase II, Jungle Storm (1992), Kitkit (2011), and the Kaifa Kenji and Kaifa Debi campaigns (2012).

His promotions through the ranks occurred on the following timelines:

• 1983: Sergeant

• September 1, 1984: Second Lieutenant

• September 1, 1986: First Lieutenant

• September 1, 1988: Captain

• March 1, 1992: Alternate Commander

• July 1, 2007: Brigadier General

• January 1, 2018: Major General

General Dhiyier was multilingual, speaking English, Arabic, Nuer, and Anyuak.

Health and Demise

General Dhiyier had a medical history of diabetes and high blood pressure. In May 2026, he developed jaundice and initially sought traditional remedies. On May 21, 2026, he developed a fever and was admitted to Queen’s Clinic, before being transferred to Freedom International Hospital.

A medical scan at Nile Specialists revealed a liver swelling that had extended to the kidneys, lungs, and spleen. Following liver and respiratory complications, he was transferred to Gudele General Hospital.

General Dhiyier passed away on May 28, 2026, due to respiratory and liver failure, surrounded by his wife, Joy Poni Kurino, his daughter, Nyalual Nicholas, and family members.