General Joseph Lagu’s body lies in state ahead of Friday’s burial

The body of the late General Joseph Lagu Yanga is lying in state at the Parliament building in Juba, where government officials and members of the public are paying their last respects ahead of his state burial on Friday.

The body arrived at the Parliament building on Wednesday morning from the funeral home, following the general’s death on October 27, 2026.

According to the committee organising the state funeral, the body will remain at Parliament until Thursday morning to allow mourners to pay their respects.

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, which President Salva Kiir and senior government officials are expected to attend.

Following the church service, the body will be transported to the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum for the state burial.

General Lagu will receive a 12-gunshots military salute as part of the burial honours.

The funeral organising committee has urged the public to remain calm, saying official announcements will be made to provide updates on the arrangements and prevent unnecessary panic.

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

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