South Sudan Honors Veteran General Mama Adhartit
By Ahmad Sorondinki.
General Mama Victoria Adhartit Arop, veteran of the Red Army and a mother to many, was honoured on 16th May 2026, whose strength, sacrifice, and resilience remain a cornerstone of South Sudan’s liberation history.
As South Sudan honored its heroes and heroines, the ceremony also paid tribute to the mothers and women whose sacrifices during years of war, displacement, and suffering helped sustain the liberation movement.
Mama Victoria embodies the strength of South Sudanese women who shouldered the burden of war and preserved hope for future generations.
When a liberation song began playing in Juba, the 100-year-old veteran surprised the crowd by running a few steps. Her energy sparked applause and highlighted the enduring spirit of those who fought for independence.
General Victoria Adhardit Arop is widely respected as a mother of Jesh al Ahmar who helped save countless lives, including many Lost Boys and Lost Girls, through her service as a military nurse during the liberation war.
At a time when many citizens continue to face hardship, insecurity, and disappointment in the country so many sacrificed for, honouring figures like Mama Victoria serves as a reminder of the promises of freedom, justice, and dignity that South Sudanese people still aspire to achieve.
Mama Adhardit (officially Hon. Gen. Dr. Mama Victoria Adhar Arop Chom) is an iconic South Sudanese revolutionary leader, veteran military officer, and politician famously revered as the “Mother of the Red Army” (Jesh al-Ahmar).
Adhartit is widely celebrated for her dual roles as a frontline medical caregiver during South Sudan’s liberation struggle and as a prominent advocate for public health and veteran appreciation.
The Mother of the Red Army During the liberation war led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the 1980s, she served as a dedicated military nurse in Dimma, Ethiopia. She provided essential medical care, emotional support, and maternal protection to the “Red Army” thousands of unaccompanied child soldiers and displaced youth, including individuals later known as the Lost Boys and Lost Girls.
Adhartit was the High-Ranking Commander transitioning from a medical nurse to a professionally trained military combat officer, she achieved the rank of Major General (and is also cited as a Brigadier General) within the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
She was awarded multiple military medals in recognition of her lifelong sacrifices from the start of the struggle through South Sudan’s formal independence. She remains a visible figure at historic milestones, including the annual SPLA Day anniversary commemorations held at the Juba National Stadium.
General Adhartit served as an instrumental frontline campaigner for the World Health Organization (WHO), leading vaccination initiatives that helped eradicate polio among young children in conflict zones.Political Leader: Following the implementation of peace accords, she entered politics and serves as a Member of Parliament within South Sudan’s Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU).
Breaking age barriers and demonstrating an enduring commitment to self-improvement, she made national headlines by earning her higher education qualifications later in life. She successfully graduated at 78 years of age, a milestone widely celebrated across South Sudan as a testament to lifelong determination and proof that education has no age limit.
The veteran war woman is a granddaughter of Chom Duang from the Ajing Noi family, belonging to the Pajung clan.Origin: Her roots trace back to Twic County, situated in the Warrap State region of South Sudan.Mama Victoria Adhardit Arop Proves Age Is Just a Number.