TRIBUTES FOR TIRELESS ADVOCATE
Campaigner dedicated her life to South Sudan people
TRIBUTES have flowed from around the world for former Toowoomba woman Aguil ChutDeng, one of the first South Sudanese arrivals to the Garden City and advocate for peace in her war-torn nation, after her tragic death.
The 54-year-old is being remembered as a stoic figure for South Sudanese people around the world who selflessly fought for her people and their freedom.
TRIBUTES have flowed from around the world for former Toowoomba woman Aguil Chut-Deng, one of the first South Sudanese arrivals to the Garden City and advocate for peace in her wartorn nation, who was found dead in Brisbane.
In a statement Queensland Police confirmed the body of the 54-year-old, who had been missing from her Bracken Ridge home since April 27, was found on May 1, with a report to be prepared for the coroner.
The prominent activist and advocate for the people of South Sudan, who fought with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and was known as Comrade ChutDeng, tirelessly dedicated her life to the service of her people.
Comrade Chut-Deng became one of the first South Sudanese community members to settle in Toowoomba 26 years ago, where she spent four years, learning English and studying at the University of Southern Queensland.
She went on to speak at the United Nations and become a strong advocate for her people in Australia, lobbying then-Prime Minister John Howard to increase Australia’s intake of refugees from South Sudan in the early 2000s.
After moving to Canberra in 2000, Comrade ChutDeng returned to South Sudan in 2010 to advocate for peace and women of the nation that gained its independence in 2011, and would continue to travel around the world to fight for her people.
Comrade Chut-Deng’s younger sister Akeer said Aguil was held as a heroine and a matriarch within the South Sudanese community.
“She was considered an iron woman, because not many women in our culture speak up, but she wasn’t afraid to face men, whether in the forefront of war or in politics,” she said.
“She was so vocal because she was a child soldier. At the age of 17 in 1986 she joined to fight with the SPLMA for the freedom of the people of South Sudan, and she helped a lot of the lost boys.
“She advocated for Sudanese homeless people, troubled on the streets, and advocated for women in Australia. Whether through domestic violence or culture shock a lot of families struggled after arriving here so she counselled many people.
“Aguil was a loving person and mother to everyone. Everywhere she went she made an impact and brought people together.” If this story has raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.