Meet Marial Mark Awuok: The Path of a child soldier to University Graduation

2026-03-22 - 11:25

Marial Mark Awuok Til graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the College of Management Science at Starford International University on March 21, 2026. He is among 691 graduates who received degrees at the university campus in Juba. Born on July 16, 1978, in Yirol District, Lakes State, Marial is the firstborn of the late SPLA Veteran Colonel Mark Awuok Til Ajielkuei and Monica Lou Majok. In 1987, the SPLM/SPLA established a policy to build a future generation for the liberation struggle. Marial’s father took him and his younger brother, Til Awuok Til Ajiekkuei, to the New Sudan Youth Centre in Pinyudu, Ethiopia. These children were known as the “Red Army” (Jiech al-Ahmar), a generation that served as both students and child soldiers during the conflict. Marial began his primary education in Ethiopia in 1988 at School Number Three. He was part of “Group Three” under the instruction of teachers and caretakers including Manyuon Kuol, Majier Manyiel Malou, and R/SM Achiek Hassan Nyandiar. Following political changes in Ethiopia in 1991, South Sudanese refugees moved to Kenya. Marial attended school at the Kakuma Refugee Camp from 1999 to 2002, where he earned his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). From 2003 to 2006, Marial attended Shiners Boys Senior Secondary School in Nakuru, Kenya, obtaining his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). With the support of his wife, Ayor Marial Rin Deng, he later enrolled at Starford International University in Juba from 2022 to 2025 to complete his degree. Marial’s career in public service began as a State Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to H.E. Taban Deng Gai from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, he was appointed State Minister of Information, Culture, Youth, and Sports for the defunct Eastern Lakes State-Yirol. He served until 2021, when the 32 states dissolved and returned to the 10-state structure. Marial also held leadership roles as the Chairperson of the Artist Union and the Secretary General of the Red Army Foundation, an organization dedicated to the history of the former child soldiers. Marial’s career in public service began as a State Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, he was appointed State Minister of Information, Culture, Youth, and Sports for the defunct Eastern Lakes State, Yirol. He held this position until 2021, when the 32 states were dissolved and returned to 10 states and three administrative areas. From 2025 to the present, Marial has served as the Assistant Commissioner for Public Relations and Communications at the South Sudan Revenue Authority headquarters. Marial credits his wife, Ayor Marial Rin Deng, for providing support during his studies. He is married with a family. His graduation in Juba concludes an educational timeline that spanned four decades across Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. Marial Mark Awuok Til wears a graduation gown after receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the College of Management Science at Starford International University on Saturday, March 21, 2026. | Photo: Madrama James/Eye Radio