The family of Captain Luka Gathok Nyuon, a bodyguard of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, is demanding justice after he died in military custody in Juba on Thursday morning.
Nyuon, who was arrested in March and held at the Jamus military detention center, reportedly fell ill in custody. His relatives say they were informed of his death by the military but have not been permitted to view or retrieve his body, which remains at the military hospital mortuary in Giyada.
“We were not allowed to see the body to confirm if there are other reasons for the death, such as torture,” a family member said, adding that the family had never been allowed to visit him during his detention.
Opposition representatives also criticized the authorities. Alfred Gatmai, SPLM-IO caucus secretary for information in Mayom County, claimed Nyuon and other detainees faced torture and denial of medical treatment. “There are many of the first vice president’s bodyguards in detention — around 80 of them,” he said.
Repeated attempts to reach the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesman for comment went unanswered.
Rights campaigners have also weighed in. Edmund Yakani, a prominent human rights advocate, said Nyuon’s death highlights the dangers of politically motivated arrests. “Unlawful detention and killings must stop. Political disagreements should never cost human lives,” he said.
Nyuon’s death comes amid escalating political tensions. Last week, President Salva Kiir suspended Machar and referred him to court on charges of treason and crimes against humanity. Several of Machar’s allies — including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol and Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam — remain in detention.
Although South Sudan’s constitution requires detainees to appear before a judge within 24 hours of arrest, this safeguard is rarely enforced.
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