A South Sudanese opposition legislator has been killed after being shot by unknown gunmen near his residence in the capital, Juba, according to family members and parliamentary colleagues.
The victim, Luka Mathen Toupiny Luk, was attacked in the Gudele neighbourhood at around 10 p.m. on Saturday. Colleagues said the 36-year-old lawmaker was ambushed and fatally shot by assailants as he was returning home.
Luka served in the Council of States, South Sudan’s upper chamber of parliament, representing Cueibet County in Lakes State. He was chairperson of the specialised committee on education, science and technology.
He belonged to the United Sudan African Party (USAP), a member of the Other Political Parties (OPP) coalition, which is a signatory to the 2018 revitalised peace agreement.
According to fellow lawmaker Manyot Magar, Luka had earlier attended a party meeting before being driven home. He later left his house to watch a televised football match between Chelsea and Everton.
“After the game, as he was heading back home and talking on the phone, six individuals emerged from behind and shot him,” Magar told Radio Tamazuj.
Luka was struck by several bullets, including one to the abdomen, and died at the scene.
The motive for the killing remains unclear. Magar said security forces pursued the attackers, arresting two suspects while four others managed to flee.
“A total of two suspects were arrested and handed over to police for investigation,” he said.
A family member, Sabit Daniel Deer, confirmed the arrests, noting that the suspects were from Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and Gogrial in Warrap State. He appealed to the public to remain calm as investigations continue.
The killing has renewed concerns over the safety of lawmakers in Juba, with members of parliament repeatedly raising alarm over inadequate security.
Magar called on the government to guarantee full protection for legislators in both houses, warning that many MPs are exposed due to the lack of official transport and personal security.
Luka was appointed to the Council of States following the signing of the 2018 peace agreement. Before joining parliament, he worked as a court clerk.
By Sunday, the South Sudanese government had not issued an official statement on the incident.