Night Assault in Juba
Luka Mathen Toukpiny Luk, representative for Cueibet County, was gunned down around 10 p.m. on Tuesday inside his Gudele compound, shortly after returning from evening prayers. He succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital before midnight, family sources confirmed.
Relatives stated that unidentified assailants breached the gate and opened fire without warning. According to his wife, Nyan Akolde, two suspects from Aweil and Gogrial are in custody, while two accomplices remain at large as security agents pursue leads.
Profile of an Independent Voice
Mathen entered the Council of States under the 2018 revitalized peace accord on the ticket of the Other Political Parties coalition. Colleagues recall an independent voice who chaired the education committee and frequently pressed constituency matters on the chamber floor.
Juol highlighted Mathen’s focus on education, recalling how a constituent earned a scholarship through the late legislator’s recommendation, an illustration of his hands-on style with community needs.
Investigators Seek Answers
Opposition parliamentarian Juol Nhomngek Daniel said investigators have yet to link any dispute to the attack. ‘The reason he was killed is still not known,’ he told reporters, noting that earlier parliamentary disagreements had never spilled into broader conflict.
National authorities have not yet released a detailed statement naming the attackers or outlining a motive, while criminal investigators continue interviewing witnesses and analysing ballistic evidence.
Broader Security Concerns
He warned that the shooting epitomises fragile protection for office-holders across South Sudan, asking, ‘If government officials are not protected, how can they represent the people?’
The killing echoes regional debates on institutional safety. Observers note that neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville has recently highlighted professionalised protection units for legislators, illustrating policy options that South Sudanese authorities may study without delay.