June 2, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan minister for East African Affairs John Luk Jok who served as the first justice minister of the post-independent South Sudan has died this morning reportedly of coronavirus, sources with direct knowledge have said.
A senior government official at the east african affairs ministry said from Juba that Luk was tested positive for the virus about two weeks ago and was taking the necessary medication until his situation worsened overnight.
“The Honorable minister of East African Affairs passed on at dawn today. He died from coronavirus at his residence here in Juba where he has been taking his treatment since his diagnosis with the virus more than ten days ago,” the official who requested anonymity said.
The official said the minister had high-blood pressure and added that “it complicated everything despite the fact that he has been under intensive treatment.”
Luk is the first person to serve as justice minister following the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.
He served under that capacity until July 2013, months before the country flang into civil war which forced him into exile after having been detained by president Salva Kiir’s government for involvement in an alleged coup plot.
He remained in exiled and returned in 2016 take up the transport ministry following the signing of a peace agreement in Addis Ababa in August 2015.
He served on that role until his appointment as the minister for East African Affairs in March this year following the establishment of the revitalized transitional government of national unity.
