Joseph Lagu: key obituary facts
Is Joseph Lagu dead? Yes. Joseph Lagu died on October 27, 2026, at age 96.
Cause of death: Joseph Lagu's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Joseph Lagu known for?
He was a South Sudanese politician.
More about Joseph Lagu
Born: 21 November 1931.
Place of birth: Equatoria.
Gender: male.
Occupation: diplomat, military leader, politician, minister.
Nationality: South Sudan, Sudan.
Education: Sudanese Military Academy.
Joseph Lagu, the South Sudanese politician who served as president of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region, died October 27, 2026, aged 96.
Born in Momokwe in Moli, he trained at the Sudanese Military Academy and became a military officer before emerging as a leader of the southern Sudanese liberation movement. In September 1963, he founded Anyanya, the armed wing of the southern resistance, and led its campaign against the Sudanese government during the First Sudanese Civil War.
Lagu played a key part in the negotiations that led to the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement, ending the war and granting Southern Sudan autonomy. He served as president of the region’s High Executive Council from February 1978 to July 1979. In 1982, he became Sudan’s second vice president, remaining in office until the overthrow of President Gaafar Nimeiry’s government in 1985. Lagu later held diplomatic posts, including service as Sudan’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 1990 to 1992. His public career thus included leadership in the southern resistance, regional government, Sudan’s national administration and international diplomacy.