A prominent spiritual and traditional leader from the Murle Community in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Barcoc Lual, died on Monday aged 85, his relative and the government said. 

John Gogol told Radio Tamazuj that his stepbrother died Monday afternoon at his home in Likuangole without providing further details. 

“I can confirm to you that Chief Barchoch Lual is dead. As per our norms and beliefs, I will not be able to provide more details because the deceased has yet to be buried,” he said. 

One Pibor resident and government official, Nyany Korok, eulogized Barcoc as a great leader and that his death is a loss to the Murle people. 

For his part, Lokali Amae, the GPAA chief administrator, described the deceased as a mentor and helper and that his passing on will create a void in the country. 

The chief administrator disclosed that traditional burial arrangements are ongoing.