11/07/2026
Lt. Colonel Martin Manyiel Ayuel Akech
مقدم: مارتن مانييل ايويل اكيج
Lt. Colonel Martin Manyiel Ayuel Akech Athuai Aker (1942 – 6 May 1992) was a South Sudanese military officer, liberation fighter, and senior commander in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). He was a member of the SPLM/A Political-Military High Command and played an important role in shaping the military strategy of the South Sudanese liberation struggle.
Martin Manyiel was born in 1942 in Rumcuer Village, Akuar Leng Juk, Twic Mayardit County, Warrap State, to Ayuel Akech and Ajak Atem Akuoc. He came from a respected family and was the eldest of eight children. He began his education at Pawil Anyuon Elementary School in 1954, continued at Mayen Abun School, completed intermediate school in Wau, and later graduated from Rumbek Senior Secondary School after its relocation to Khartoum. In 1971, he joined the Sudan Military College and graduated in 1973 as part of Batch 25. He was commissioned into the Sudan Armed Forces, where he served in Wau, Gedaref, and Kajokeji, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
During his military career, Martin became involved in the Underground Movement, a network of South Sudanese officers opposed to President Jaafar Nimeiri's policies. Although he did not join the SPLA immediately after the 1983 Bor mutiny, he defected with his entire military unit and equipment on 7 March 1985 while stationed in Kajokeji. His defection significantly strengthened the SPLA and was widely regarded as a patriotic contribution to the liberation struggle.
Upon joining the SPLA, Martin commanded the Bee Battalion of the Muor Muor Division and participated in the successful capture of Boma Plateau during operations in Eastern Equatoria. Following these campaigns, he served as director in the Office of the SPLM/SPLA Chairman in Addis Ababa. In 1986, he was appointed to the Political-Military High Command, the movement's highest leadership body, where he ranked.