Two Sudanese Soldiers Become U.S. Citizens Together in Iraq

• Two Sudanese soldiers became U.S. citizens together in Iraq.
• Army Spc. Marlesh Mbory overcame a tumultuous past to find a new life.
• Army Spc. Magdi Ahmed sought freedom and justice in the United States.
• Both soldiers serve as interpreters for the U.S. Army in Baghdad.
• Both men intend to share their stories and encourage others in the Sudanese community.

Two Sudanese Soldiers Achieve Citizenship Together

Two Sudanese soldiers, united by their unusual pasts, are now naturalized U.S. citizens, serving together in Iraq. Despite the deep-seated conflicts that divided their country for over two decades, one hailing from the south and the other from the north have forged a bond as interpreters for the U.S. Army in Iraq. They were celebrated in an emotional citizenship ceremony at the impressive Al Faw Palace in Baghdad on March 3, marking a new chapter in their lives after years of hardship and displacement.

Marlesh Mbory’s Journey from Struggles to Citizenship

Army Spc. Marlesh Mbory, originally from southern Sudan, moved to the United States in 2003 after nonstop adversity shaped his journey. His story is marked by loss—having witnessed the brutal killings of family members during the second Sudanese civil war—and struggle, as he traversed through Congo and the Central African Republic before finally arriving in Nebraska. Today, as a married father of two, he expressed immense pride: “I love my job, and I love my new country. I’m grateful to be American.” After this deployment ends, he intends to become a recruiter, sharing the benefits of joining the Army with his community in Lincoln.

Magdi Ahmed’s Fight for Freedom and Equality

Similarly, Army Spc. Magdi Ahmed has also found a promising future in the United States after enduring discrimination and marginalization in both Saudi Arabia and Sudan. “I moved to the U.S. for freedom, for better opportunities, for a better life,” he stated. Ahmed’s struggles in education and social status, partly because of his Saudi birthplace, fueled his desire to seek justice and equality, which he found in America. After immigrating in 2006, he quickly established a new life with the support of fellow Sudanese immigrants, enhancing his hopes for both his future and that of his homeland as Southern Sudan approaches a pivotal vote for independence.

In summary, the stories of Army Spc. Marlesh Mbory and Army Spc. Magdi Ahmed highlight the resilience and determination of individuals who have overcome horrific pasts to embrace opportunities in America. They have forged paths for themselves and now proudly serve their new country. Symbolically, their citizenship represents hope, not just for themselves, but for a stable and united future for their homeland of Sudan.