Members of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) have raised alarm over the country’s worsening security situation, particularly in Juba, where attacks by unidentified gunmen have increasingly targeted civilians.

The concerns were sparked by the killing of Luka Mathen Toupiny Luk, a 36-year-old member of the Council of States representing Cueibet County. According to family members and fellow legislators, Mathen was shot dead by unknown attackers in the Gudele area of Juba at about 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Addressing the assembly on Tuesday, Oresto Lupara, an MP from Eastern Equatoria State, said the killing underscored the deteriorating state of security in the capital and urged authorities to act swiftly.

“People are killing each other in this country. This is a very serious and dangerous situation,” Lupara said, accusing security forces of failing to adequately protect citizens.

He also called on the Ministry of Health to present data on deaths linked to gun violence, stressing that parliament has the authority to confront the growing insecurity.

Margret Samuel Aru Bol, an MP representing Cueibet County, demanded justice for the slain lawmaker, saying the killing of a sitting MP in central Juba should not be treated lightly.

TNLA Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba described the incident as deeply unfortunate and called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding Mathen’s death.