General Joseph Lagu to be laid to rest at state funeral on Friday

The committee organising the state funeral of late General Joseph Lagu says the liberation hero will be buried on Friday, with public viewing of his body expected to begin tomorrow.

The High-Level Ad Hoc Committee announced the funeral programme today as preparations continue for the state burial, according to Radio Community.

General Lagu, who organised the southern troops’ mutiny into the Anyanya One resistance movement, died in Juba on October 27, 2026, aged 94.

According to the committee, the first ceremony will begin on Wednesday morning and continue throughout the night until dawn on Thursday. The body will be brought from the funeral home for public viewing.

On Thursday, the body will be taken to the late general’s family residence in Hai Tijaria residential area, where members of the Madi community, friends and relatives will have an opportunity to pay their last respects throughout the night.

On Friday, the body will be taken to All Saints Cathedral in Juba for prayers. President Salva Kiir and senior government officials are expected to attend the service.

After the church service, the body will be transported to the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum, where General Lagu will be laid to rest in a state burial ceremony.

The late general will also receive a 12-gunshots military salute as part of the burial honours.

The committee has urged the public to remain calm, saying official announcements will be made to provide information about the funeral arrangements and avoid unnecessary panic.

The spokesperson also said there will be no speeches after the burial and urged mourners to leave the venue peacefully.

According to Madi tradition, final funeral prayers will be held four days after the burial at the National Legislative Assembly in Juba.