South Sudan's minister for East African Affairs dies – Official

jok
jok

What you need to know:

  • A family spokesperson confirmed that Mr Luk had been battling an illness for quite some.
  • Mr Jok participated in the liberation process that led to the independence of South Sudan from Sudan.

South Sudan’s Minister for East African Affairs John Luk Jok has died, authorities have confirmed.

Mr Jok died Tuesday morning at his home in the capital Juba according to the Fourth Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.

A family spokesperson confirmed that Mr Luk had been battling an illness for quite some time but did not provide further details.

Ms De Mabior, who previously worked with Mr Jok at the Former Detainee Alliance, eulogised him as a brilliant politician the entire county will miss.

HARDWORKING

“John Luk was very honest, hardworking and a brilliant person who devoted his entire life to fight for South Sudan during the liberation processes until his death. He is a person the whole country will miss,” she said.

“His shoes are so big that nobody can fit in. The great memory and a name I cannot never forget is how, we named him as John Luk of the SPLM,” added the VP, referring to the ruling party Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Mr Jok participated in the liberation process that led to the independence of South Sudan from Sudan and also helped in the drafting of the country’s Constitution in 2011.

Prior to his appointment as minister for East African Affairs, he had served as the Justice minister from July 2011 until March 2020.

He has also previously served minister for transport.