a chance at developing democratic institutions in its own autonomous context. Public life After leaving military service he entered political life. He was elected by popular vote to the Presidency of the High Executive Council of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region in 1978 and in 1982 was appointed 2nd Vice President of the Republic. In 1985 when Nimeiry's government was toppled by his defence minister, Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Suar-El-Dahab, Joseph Lagu also lost his position as 2nd Vice President. Relocating to the UK with his family, Joseph Lagu kept quite a low political profile, though he sometimes appeared on political rallies. The brief military rule that succeeded the coup was followed by a democratically elected government under the Premiership of Sadiq al-Mahdi. Joseph Lagu was appointed Roving Ambassador by the elected Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. Al Mahdi's government was in turn overthrown by Gen. Omar al-Bashir (then a Brigadier) who has managed to maintain his hold on power since the coup in 1989. Joseph Lagu's post as Roving Ambassador continued under the new regime having been confirmed by President al-Bashir himself. Joseph Lagu was appointed as Sudanese Ambassador to the UN between September 1990 and January 1992. He was then reappointed Roving Ambassador. He resigned from the position in May 1998 after he was appointment as Presidential Advisor, a post that he declined requesting he be relieved of all official duty so as to become a private citizen and an independent voice. In 2006 he completed writing his memoirs—Sudan Odyssey Through a State from Ruin to Hope. References Vice presidents of Sudan 1929 births Living people Presidents of South Sudan Sudanese rebels People from Central Equatoria Sudan People's Liberation Movement politicians Permanent Representatives of Sudan to the United Nations