By Manas James Okony
Isaac Ajiba Ochang, the former Minister of Information and Communication in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, was laid to rest at his residence in the capital, Juba, on Saturday.
Ajiba Ochang passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on 29 June 2026 at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. His body was flown back to Juba on Saturday.
The burial ceremony was attended by high-profile community and government leaders, including the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the Jonglei State Parliament.
Speaking to the media, Baranaba Okony Gilo, a community leader and former state health minister, expressed shock over the death, describing it as a national loss.
“Isaac was widely regarded as a man of peace, particularly among the Dinka, Nuer, Anyuak, and Murle communities. His passing is a great loss to the people of Jonglei State and South Sudan as a whole,” he said.
Ajiba served as Jonglei State’s Minister of Information (2010–2012), Minister of Agriculture (2009–2010), and Minister of Education (2001–2003). He was also a member of the National Parliament based in Khartoum, representing his hometown of Akobo in 2005.
In addition to his political career, Honourable Isaac Ajiba had a distinguished career in banking spanning several decades across South Sudan and Sudan. His roles included Senior Staff Member at Unity Bank in Juba (1978–1983); Malakal (1983–1985); Juba and Yambio (1985–1993); Wau (1993–1994); and Renk (1994–1995); and Branch Manager at Ivory Bank in Renk (1995–1996), Khartoum (1996–1997), Malakal (2013–2016), and Bor (2016–2017).
Former Governor Philip Thon Leek expressed sadness over Ajiba’s passing and extended condolences to the family. “It is unfortunate that Isaac Ajiba has passed away. I knew him in Sudan and later during my governorship. He also served during Kuol Manyang’s tenure,” he said.
Rose Isaac Ajiba Ochang, the deceased’s eldest daughter, described her father’s death as a national loss.
“The demise of our father, Isaac Ajiba, is a big loss not only to our family and the Anyuak community but [also] to South Sudan as a whole. He served the country in various capacities—as a professional banker, public administrator, and in community development initiatives in both Sudan and South Sudan,” she said.
Ajiba, a graduate of Juba University, was born in Akobo County in January 1955. He was married to Mary Momo Omot Akodo and Helen Justin Madoma and is survived by 13 children, 28 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.