Written by: Badr Ahmed

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit brought back to the forefront the name of one of his old comrades in the struggle, Major General William Deng Garang Banj, during the celebrations of the forty-third anniversary of the launch of the May 16 Revolution, which were held at Juba International Stadium, in a scene in which politics was mixed with memories of the long war.

Salva Kiir invokes the memory of veteran fighters at Juba celebrations

The invocation of William Deng’s name was not merely a passing reference within an official speech, but rather seemed to evoke the memory of an entire generation of fighters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, who fought the long years of war alongside the movement’s founder, Dr. John Garang, and President Salva Kiir, in harsh conditions that shaped the features of modern South Sudan’s history.

Major General William Deng is known among his comrades as the originator of the famous chant “SPLA/M Oyee”, a slogan that, during the years of conflict, became a mobilization symbol associated with the SPLA fighters, before later becoming part of the political and popular discourse in South Sudan.

During the war years, William Deng participated in a number of major military operations and battles within the ranks of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), working alongside the movement's senior military and political leaders. His name is also associated with significant battles in the Rumbek region, where he fought alongside Salva Kiir and John Garang at pivotal moments in the conflict.

According to those close to him, the man was known for his calmness and military discipline, and he stayed out of the limelight even after his retirement from military service in 2012, as part of a group of senior People’s Army officers who left the military establishment after many years of fighting.

Despite his withdrawal from the public eye, William Deng's name remained present in the memory of the liberation generation and veterans. In 2025, Adut Salva Kiir, the president's daughter and presidential envoy for special programs, made a point of visiting him, a move that reflected the symbolic status he retained within the SPLM circles.

During this year's celebrations, President Salva Kiir appeared visibly moved as he spoke about his old comrade, recalling details from the years of war and moving between fronts and battles in extremely difficult conditions.

The reappearance of William Deng carries implications that go beyond the personal dimension, as it brings renewed attention to a generation of leaders and fighters who played pivotal roles in the SPLM’s journey, before many of them chose to step away from public life after South Sudan’s independence in 2011, leaving behind a legacy that remains present in the memory of the nascent state.