Disturbing Facebook Plea Sparks Alarm
On 21 December 2025, South Sudanese resident Mawien Deng Kuol vanished in central Cairo after posting a startling Facebook message claiming kidnapping and a USD 2,000 ransom demand.
Family’s Frantic Search in Cairo
Alarmed relatives filed a missing-person report at Ain Shams Police Station within hours, prompting officers to trace locations mentioned in Mawien’s post while South Sudanese social media groups coordinated informal searches across the capital.
From Hope to Tragedy on the Nile
Six days later, on 27 December, Egyptian divers recovered his body from the Nile near Zamalek, extinguishing hopes that ransom discussions might yet save him.
News of the recovery raced through community forums, quickly transforming concern into sorrow and fuelling speculation about what transpired between the distress post and the riverbank discovery.
Authorities Present Alternative Narrative
The Ministry of Interior soon announced that video evidence showed Mawien leaping from the 6 October Bridge, characterising the death as suicide rather than kidnapping, and noting no signs of external violence.
Officials stated the footage had been handed to the Public Prosecution, adding that earlier ransom claims lacked corroboration and that Mawien’s son initially reported the disappearance to police.
Community Demands Transparency
South Sudanese community leaders question discrepancies between the official account and Mawien’s final message, urging authorities to share the video with the embassy, family elders and legal representatives to dispel lingering doubts.
Awaiting Prosecutor’s Findings
For now, investigators caution that conclusions will emerge only after the Public Prosecution completes its review, while the South Sudanese Embassy maintains quiet diplomatic engagement, balancing community frustration with confidence in due process.
Lingering Heartache for Loved Ones
Amid cultural rites thousands of kilometres from home, Mawien’s relatives grieve without clarity, wondering whether fear, coercion or despair sealed his fate on Cairo’s storied river.