Parliament mourns member Muktar amid calls for medical allowances

Oyet Nathaniel, First Depuy Speaker of TNLA

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) lawmakers are mourning the death of their member, Matthew Ismail Muktar, in Juba on Tuesday after a short illness.

Muktar, who represented Central Equatoria State, died in the morning at the Juba Medical Complex.

His death was announced on Wednesday by the First Deputy Speaker, Oyet Nathaniel Perino, who, however, did not disclose the cause of the death.

He added that arrangements were underway to take the body to parliament for members to pay their last respects.

The MPs observed a moment of silence to honor the late lawmaker.

“We have lost one honorable member of the TNLA. Ismail Muktar died yesterday morning and the body is in the mortuary. The burial arrangements are underway,” Oyet said.

“The leadership of the TNLA is working with the family to see that he is laid to rest with dignity,” he added.

The Deputy Speaker said the leadership of parliament had resolved that the body be brought to the House and prayers conducted in the debating chamber.

The family members will be accorded sitting within the chamber. We shall be prepared,” Oyet added.

The death comes after MPs have long been demanding their medical allowances.

Last month, former parliament spokesperson John Agany called for the payment of their medical allowances, arguing that the funds should be prioritized over the 14th edition of the East African Inter-Parliamentary Games. The games are set to take place in Mombasa, Kenya, on December 6.

According to the lawmaker, MPs were only paid $15,000 each medical allowances in August 2023, leaving each with a balance for their 2021/2022 financial year.

Meanwhile, TNLA official spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin noted that at least one MP died every three months due to poor health.