Brief Biography and Facts About Major(Cdr). Late William Nyuon Bany Machar
William Nyuon Bany (died 1996) was a Southern Sudanese politician who was also a high-ranking officer in The Sudan People’s Liberation Army. While he worked as a commander of the SPLA he lived in Itang, a small Ethiopian town in the Gambela Region. He was older than Dr. John Garang, Salva Kiir, Arok Thon Arok.
Commander William was a Nuer from Ayot. He was also related to the Dinka. He spoke Nuer, Arabic, Amharic, and some English.
He is survived by a number of widows and children. General Bany’s widow, Abuoch, was a main speaker during Martyr’s Day celebrations in Juba 2012.
William Nyuon Bany Machar and Kerubino Kuanyin Bol were the founders of SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army).
The war broke out in Southern Town of Bor, he served as a Major in the Sudanese army in Ayot Ayot. He served as a commander in Sudan for a long time before they started the rebellion in 1983.
Bany and Kerubino Kuanyin Bol were two founders of SPLA before John Garang joined them. After he joined the SPLA he was appointed the 3rd high-ranking Commander after Kerubino Kuanyin Bol.
Commander Salva was the 4th after William Nyuon Bany. Bany was also the Chief of Staff then a position currently occupied by Commander Jock riak . Before this, the post was occupied by Salva Kiir Mayardit, Oyay Deng Ajak, James Hoth,Paul Malong, Ajongo,and currently held by Jock Riak.
Internecine fighting
Commander William Nyuon Bany fought as an SPLA commander. In 1991 the SPLA-Nasir split from the SPLA. Although Bany remained with Garang and the main SPLA faction at that time, he left Garang’s SPLA in 1992 at town of Pageri in Central Equatoria State. He did, however, rejoin Garang’s SPLA.
General Bany passionately explained his reasons at the Naivasha agreement of Nairobi Guest House but Bany Machar was killed in 1996.Cdr. William remains a highly respected Nuer leader.
The dinka claim that his an ethnic Dinka from Duk Padiet. Bany is survived by a number of children most of whom live in the United States of America in Nebraska, Utah and Territories of Canada.
Peace negotiations
Bany exerted efforts to help reach a solution for Sudan while he was living in Ethiopia as a member of the SPLA. He also supported the merging of the SPLA and Anyanya 2 in 1987.
Bany visited Egypt in 1989 where he met hundreds of Sudanese students. He was fluent in Arabic and he encouraged many students to support the cause for freedom in Sudan.
Dr. John Garang favored William Nyuon for his zeal, commitment and the fact that he was not a tribalist. He was a Southern Sudanese patriot who loved his people and the integrity of his land. The facts related to his death continue to be confusing as to who exactly was involved in his assassination.
By Honourable Yonanis Zoalk.
