A 39-year-old man was found dead Sunday morning in Leer County, Unity State, in an apparent suicide following a dispute with his brother over a request to travel to the United States, local authorities said.
Police confirmed that the man, identified as Mayiel Kuol, died by hanging. Brig. Gen. Tor Thor, the county police director general, said the incident occurred at about 6:17 a.m. on Sunday.
Thor told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) found a note on Kuol’s smartphone expressing his wish to leave South Sudan for the U.S. The note indicated that he took his own life after his elder brother refused to help him with the move.
“The investigators confirmed the cause of death after he wrote a letter before his death inside the house,” Thor said.
Despite the request to his brother, police said Kuol was employed by an organization and earned a monthly salary of about $1,000.
“The deceased was working with an organization, but the name of the organization is recorded in the investigation file,” Thor said, without identifying the employer.
Thor described the incident as a tragic loss, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
“It is very unfortunate indeed, because when an educated person takes his own life without illness or external cause, it is sad news,” he said.
Community members expressed shock and sorrow over the death.
Manyang Puok, a member of the civil society group Children Charity Organization in Unity State, said the act was contrary to local traditions.
“It is very unfortunate to hear of the death of one of the young men,” Puok said. “Committing suicide is not a solution for youth. This is not part of South Sudanese culture.”
Leer County, one of the areas worst affected by years of conflict in South Sudan, continues to face widespread poverty, limited job opportunities, and insecurity. Many young people struggle with unemployment and lack of access to education or stable livelihoods.