Andrew Makur Thow (1942-2018)

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai 

Anya Nya 1 Freedom Fighter and Politician

Andrew Makur Thow was born in 1942 in Yirol, Bahr el Ghazal. He started his education locally in Pankar Elementary School (1954-1958), Tonj Intermediate School (1958-1962), and Rumbek Secondary School (1962-1964). However, he left his studies in 1964 and joined the Anya Nya 1 movement, where he was trained and commissioned as an officer. He proved to be a stringent guerrilla fighter. He had further military training by the Israelis in 1970, and he progressed within Anya Nya 1 until he became the leading commanding officer and deputy to Commander Philip Nanga in Lakes District, Bahr el Ghazal. In 1968, Cdr Andrew Makur Thow became the overall commander in Lakes District. In 1972, he was one of the Anya Nya 1 senior officers who attempted to dissuade General Joseph Lagu from rectifying the Addis Ababa Agreement (AAA).

After the AAA, he was absorbed in the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) as a lieutenant colonel. He served and commanded several battalions in many parts of South Sudan, including the 111^th Infantry Battalion in Rumbek (1972-1975), the 105^th Infantry, Bor (1975), and the 110^th Infantry, Aweil (1976). He was promoted to colonel in 1978 and assigned as 1st Division; Cdr, 12^th, Infantry Brigade, Wau (1979-1981); Cdr, Borders Forces; director of military research (1988-1989); and director of the Military Statistics Unit, Khartoum (1989).

The SAF, under the command of Col Andrew Makur Thow, were involved in providing security in the inter-tribal conference between Dinka and Rezeigat Arabs in Sahaha and Babanousa (1977). As an officer in the SAF, he underwent many courses: senior staff and command course, obtaining his master’s degree in military science, Khartoum (1976-1977); national defense studies at High Military Academy, Khartoum (1992); and all courses in Infantry. Major General Andrew Makur Thow is a highly decorated officer. He has nine military and non-military awards.

He held many senior constitutional positions in the regional governments. He was appointed vice president of High Executive Council (HEC) and regional minister of industry, commerce and supply in the government of General Gismalla Abdalla Rasas (October 5, 1981 and June 23, 1982). He held the same ministerial position in the government of the Transitional High Executive Council (THEC) under headship 1^st Lt. Gen. Abdel Rahman Mohamed Hassan Sowar Al-Daha, Khartoum (1985-1986). He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for South Sudan Political Association (SSPA) to represent Bahr el Ghazal graduates in the Constituent Assembly, Omdurman (1986-1989). However, in 1989 he resigned from parliament because Lt Gen Abdel Majid Ahmed Khalil, the minister of defense, recalled him into the army rank of major general. In July 1989 he was appointed governor of Bahr el Ghazal region, Wau (1989-1991).

In 1992, General Andrew Makur Thow was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as ambassador, and he served in many senior ambassadorial positions: director general, administration and finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khartoum (1991-1992); Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, Moscow (1992-1996); director, Crisis Management Department, Khartoum, (1996-1997); director general, Bilateral Relations (1997-1998); director general, Planning and Information (1999); and the Sudan’s ambassador to Rome (1991-2003). In December 2003 Major General Makur Thow was transferred to the Ministry of Khartoum.

After Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Major General Andrew Makur Thow, a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), was appointed as presidential advisor in the Government of National Unity (GoNU), Khartoum (2005-2011). After Independence, he was appointed eminent member of the national dialogue 2016 until he died in March 13, 2018. General Makur Thow bless with great family and have children and grandchildren.

By his death, Major Gen. Andrew Makur Thow has left behind a big void to South Sudan leadership. Such a prominent leader with multiple tasks; intelligent military man, politician, diplomat, and indeed a peace maker not easy to find.

Adopted from:

Kuyuk A, (2015). South Sudan the Notable Firsts, pp. (247-248). Author House, UK