Members of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) have expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating security, particularly in the capital, Juba, where civilians have increasingly fallen victim to attacks by unidentified gunmen.
The concerns follow the killing of Luka Mathen Toupiny Luk, a 36-year-old lawmaker representing Cueibet County in the Council of States. Mathen was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Gudele area of Juba at around 10 p.m. on Saturday, according to family members and fellow lawmakers.
Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday, Oresto Lupara, an MP representing Eastern Equatoria State, said the incident highlighted the worsening security situation in Juba and called on authorities to take urgent action.
“People are currently killing each other in this country. This is a very dangerous issue affecting our society,” he said, adding that security forces had not done enough to protect citizens.
Oresto also urged the Ministry of Health to provide records of deaths caused by gun violence. “This house is a house of laws. We have the power to address these issues,” he said.
Margret Samuel Aru Bol, an MP representing Cueibet County, called for those responsible for Mathen’s killing to be brought to justice. “The killing of an MP in the heart of Juba is not a matter to take lightly,” she said.
Jemma Nunu Kumba, speaker of the TNLA, described the killing as an unfortunate event that requires serious investigation.