Page 47 - EVOLUTION OF THE SUDAN PEOPLE’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT(SPLM),

Oduho, William Deng Nhial and Aggrey Jaden, supported by former military officers like Joseph
Lagu and senior intellectuals and Students who left universities and high schools in Sudan and
elsewhere, joined the movement and the guerilla army(SAD.887/9/13). The political movement:

Sudan African National Union, SANU, was formed under the leadership of Saturnino Luhore,
Joseph Oduho, William Deng Nhial, Aggrey Jaden and many others to lead the Movement and
reorganized the arms guerilla which existed since Torit mutiny in August 1955. The formation
of the Anyanya(II) military wing of SANU was then effectively put in place under the command

of General Joseph Lagu and deputized by Generals: Emanuel Abur Nhial, Samuel Gai Tut, Bona
Ayom Wek Ateny, Kuol Amuom, Albino Akol Akol, Andrew Makur Thou etc. (Lam Akol, 79-82).

From 1961 the war with Khartoum continued, General Ibrahim Abboud government embarked
on a social and cultural program, aimed at changing the composition of life in the whole of

Southern Sudan. The military regime, from day one, decided to open many Islamic schools,
introduced Arabic language in all the schools, in a process to subsequent replacement of English
and the indigenous languages. The regime, among others, nationalized Christians’ schools, and
expelled foreign priests from the churches all over Southern Sudan and abolished Sunday as the

weekly holiday in Southern Sudan since 1899 until 1960s. Worst of all, the regime transferred
Southern Sudanese public administrators, judges, all security forces officers, teachers, doctors
and intellectuals to Northern Sudan and replaced them with Arabs elites, Islamic teachers, security
officers and men and total control of trade and the markets by Jallaba (Arabs traders) merchants.

“This period was ugly, gloomy, marked with discrimination and oppression. These actions by
Khartoum fueled the appetite for liberation struggle.It was disheartening for a religion, language
and biased transfers imposed on South Sudanese people” (O.I, Justin Konga, Plantation Juba,
29/03/2016).

Southern Sudanese were being mistreated and harassed by security (Johnson,2014) The military
dictatorship clampdown and subdued, not only Southern Sudanese but banned all liberties,
freedoms and democratic activities in the whole country. Arrests, brutal tortures, detention
without charge or imprisonment were everyday occurrence in Sudan and Southern Sudan. The

people inside Southern Sudan, supported by SANU and the Anyanya forces, effectively took up
the challenge to stop military and social invasions of their country(SAD.887/9/13).

In 1962, SANU streamlined its leadership externally and internally. Externally Fr. Saturnino

Lohure, Joseph Oduho and William Deng Nhial were selected to top leadership, President, vice
President and Secretary General respectively. Internally, SANU established underground cells,
supervised by very senior intellectuals and politicians, such as former president of the liberal
party and MP, Sansilaus Paysama, Gordon Mortat Mayen, Gordon Abyei Makuac, Abel Alier,

Buth Diu, Hilary Paul Logali, Ambrose Wol Dhal Wol. Clement Mboro, Bona Malual Madut
and the Church leaders in Khartoum, led by Bishop (now Cardina) Gabriel Zubier Wako of
the Catholic Church. These leaders motivated and schmoosed the cell activities of Southern
Sudanese people in Northern and Southern Sudan (Zhao, 1998).

During the same period, in 1962, the Anyanya Army, commanded by General Joseph Lagu,
deputized by Emmanuel Abur Nhial in Bhar Al Ghazal, Samuel Gai Tut and Paul Awel in Upper
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