After three years of waiting, South Sudan’s tallest man finally meets Kiir

Malith Dak Deng, believed to be South Sudan's tallest man, shakes hands with President Salva Kiir during the country's 15th Independence Anniversary celebrations as Vice President Dr James Wani Igga and presidential aides look on.

After three years of trying, Malith Dak Deng, believed to be South Sudan’s tallest man and estimated to stand at 7.9 feet, has finally met President Salva Kiir during the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

The rare opportunity came during the celebration of the 15th Independence Anniversary hosted by the Head of State and attended by senior government officials, religious leaders, and members of civil society.

In a picture posted on Facebook by a page operated by the Office of the President, the towering Malith is seen shaking hands with President Kiir, standing well above the Head of State.

The same picture also shows Vice President Dr James Wani Igga looking on with amazement alongside presidential aides.

Now 44, Malith first made a public appeal in 2023 to meet President Kiir. He hoped to deliver a message of peace to the President and the now-detained First Vice President, urging the country’s leaders to unite South Sudan.

“I urge the President, the First Vice President and the other Vice Presidents to bring peace. We have guns in this country but we should not use guns against ourselves,” he appealed after visiting Eye Radio.

Although his height has not been officially measured by organizations such as the Guinness World Records, his remarkable stature has continued to attract attention on social media.

Malith first became an internet sensation after meeting Dr James Wani Igga, when pictures of the two went viral online.

During an interview with Eye Radio in 2023, Malith said he first travelled to Juba in 2011 before returning to Jonglei State.

A native of Jonglei, Malith is the firstborn of three children. He believes he inherited his height from his grandfather, whom he says he has now outgrown.

He said he returned to Juba in 2022 and has remained in the capital after being advised to stay because of the fighting in Jonglei State.

For Malith, the long-awaited meeting with President Kiir marks the end of a three-year effort and a memorable moment during South Sudan’s 15th Independence Anniversary.