Lam Akol party demands end to ‘unknown gunmen’ after MP killed

JUBA – The National Democratic Movement (NDM), led by opposition politician Dr Lam Akol, has condemned the killing of a South Sudanese lawmaker and called on authorities to decisively end what it described as the era of “unknown gunmen,” particularly in the capital, Juba.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Kai Tap Gatchang, the NDM said it learned “with shock and disbelief” of the assassination of Luka Mathen Toukpiny Luk, a member of the Council of States and chairperson of the standing specialised Committee on Education, Research, Science and Technology.

“The National Democratic Movement condemns this barbaric act in the strongest terms possible and calls upon the authorities to apprehend the culprits and bring them to book,” the statement read. “Our nation deserves to be a place where citizens live without fear, free from insecurity and barbaric acts of violence of this nature.”

Mathen, who represented Cueibet County of Lakes State in the Council of States, was shot dead at around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday after armed assailants entered his residence in the Gudele neighbourhood of Juba.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the attackers shot him inside his compound shortly after he returned home from prayers. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

His wife, Nyan Akolde, told local media that security forces have arrested two suspects in connection with the killing, while two others remain at large. She said the arrested suspects are from Aweil and Gogrial, urging authorities to ensure that all those involved are apprehended and prosecuted.

“Two of the people who killed my husband have been arrested, while two more suspects are still on the run,” she said. “I appeal to the authorities to bring everyone involved to justice.”

In its statement, the NDM warned that continued attacks attributed to unidentified assailants pose a serious threat to peace, the rule of law, and public confidence in state institutions. “Such crimes undermine peace, the rule of law, and public confidence in security institutions,” the party said, adding that the time had come to “close the chapter on the so-called unknown gunmen in our country, especially the capital.”

Mathen was appointed to the Council of States under the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), representing the Other Political Parties (OPP) cluster. He replaced Malok Acuoth following the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature.

The killing has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Juba, where a series of violent incidents blamed on unidentified attackers have continued despite repeated assurances from authorities.

The NDM extended its condolences to Mathen’s family, constituents, and colleagues, describing his death as a painful loss to the nation. “We sincerely extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the immediate family of the late Hon. Mathen, as well as to his constituents and colleagues, during this painful and difficult time,” the statement said.

As investigations continue, political parties and civil society groups are increasingly urging the government to take concrete measures to address insecurity and ensure accountability for attacks targeting public officials and civilians alike.