Who is John Luk Jok, the minister who died today?

JUBA – South Sudan’s minister for East African Affairs John Luk Jok died on Tuesday morning in the capital Juba.

His family members said the former justice minister and member of the SPLM former detainees died while on his way to the hospital.

So, who is John Luk Jok?

John Luk Jok is a South Sudanese politician born in the country’s Akobo in Jonglei state in 1952.

Education

John Luk Jok studied at the University of Khartoum and London School of Economics between 1974 and  1983, a study which earned him Bachelors of Law and a master’s degree in economics.

SPLM/SPLA service

John Luk Jok was appointed Deputy Spokesman of the SPLM/A in UK in 1983 and held the post until he defected and joined Dr. Riek Machar in August 1991. In 1995 he broke away from Machar Riek and joined William Nyuon’s faction.

He later rejoined the SPLM/A and was among Dr John Garang’s legal advisors during the CPA negotiations. Following CPA he was appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sport (2005—2008) and also served as Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mining (2008—2010).

He lost 2010 elections in Akobo West. Despite his failure to win a seat, President Kiir appointed him as Minister of Justice after the elections. He held the post until July 2013 when President Kiir dissolved the government.

As Minister of Justice he help draft the constitution of South Sudan that concentrated powers in the hands of the president.

Following outbreak of the civil war in 2013 he was detained and accused with nine others of plotting a coup.

The case was later dismissed for he was sent into exile in Kenya. Following a peace agreement with the government he was appointed as a Minister of Transport before being reappointed as Minister of East African Affairs in the revitalized peace agreement in March 2020.

John Luk Jok died early this morning at around 7PM in Juba.