Late Chief Manyok Deng Biar of Pawuoi Payam in Twic East County, Jonglei State. Photo: Courtesy.

A prominent traditional leader in Twic East County, Manyok Deng Biar Abit, has died at the age of 76 following an illness, according to a statement issued by his family.

Chief Manyok was the head chief of Pawuoi Payam and a member of the Awulian clan of Twic East County in Jonglei State.

According to the family, the late traditional leader passed away on Thursday morning at 5:00 AM at a hospital in Juba.

The family said he had been hospitalized in Juba due to an undisclosed illness.

Late Manyok was also the brother of Major General Ajak Deng Biar, a senior military official in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), who previously served as the Chief of Moral Orientation.

A statement issued by his eldest son, Deng-Agawa Manyok Deng Biar, said arrangements are underway for the funeral and burial.

Late Manyok was the son of Chief Deng Biar Abit, one of several traditional leaders killed during the massacre of traditional chiefs in former Jonglei Province in 1967 under the regime of former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadik Al-Mahdi.