By Alan Clement
South Sudan’s lawmakers mourning Hon. Rev. Scopas Taban Lokabang Namoi have warned that his death exposes systemic neglect of members’ health and welfare, underscoring the worsening medical and economic conditions facing the nation.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson Joseph Malual used the solemn sitting to highlight MPs’ welfare challenges, citing Lokabang’s difficulty accessing treatment.
He recalled how the late MP was denied a hospital bed and left struggling with mounting bills.
“He was not let a bed to sleep in, salaries are blank cheques, hospital costs keep going on,” Malual told colleagues, adding that Parliament must stand with members in times of crisis.
Malual went further, linking Lokabang’s ordeal to the broader collapse of state institutions. He criticized the Ministry of Finance for issuing “blank cheques” and warned that even national leaders and war veterans are left without care.
“Only the Ministry of Finance gives blank cheques. It is illegal, punishable by law yet it is done legally by the government,” he said, lamenting that Parliament itself had failed to protect its members.
Christian Fellowship chair Julius Moilinga echoed the call, urging that health be prioritized above politics. He recalled Lokabang’s role in founding the fellowship and bringing prayer into the House.
“Please let the priority be for our health. We don’t want to have giants like this; when they fall,” Moilinga said, describing Lokabang as “a liberator, an intellectual, a passionate person, a servant of God, a visionary church leader and a colleague.”
Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial Aluong cautioned against politicizing funerals but acknowledged Lokabang’s influence in bridging faith and governance. He also lamented the decline in MPs’ welfare, noting that legislators once received their salaries in dollars but now face irregular payments and mounting financial strain.
“He made people feel that Parliament is part of the church. Lokabang is someone everybody in this House respects,” Aluong said.
“Members of Parliament then were paid in dollars; salaries were in dollars. Later, it changed to pounds. Commissaries were also given in dollars. So, things are different now,” he added.
First Deputy Speaker Ambrose Lomin Pitia offered words of comfort, framing the tragedy as a moment of unity. “Go in peace and rest with the Lord… This tragic death has brought us together as members of Parliament.”
Lokabang’s passing has sharpened debate on MPs’ welfare, with colleagues pointing to unpaid salaries, escalating medical bills, and inadequate support systems. His case, they argued, reflects broader weaknesses in South Sudan’s health sector, where even national leaders and war veterans struggle for care.
The economic crisis marked by currency depreciation, inflation, and salary arrears has left many public servants vulnerable. Lawmakers themselves cited blank cheques, the erosion of benefits once pegged to foreign currency, and the collapse of welfare structures that once cushioned MPs.
Beyond the chamber, Lokabang’s dual identity as reverend and MP made him a distinctive figure in South Sudan’s legislature. He was approachable, socially engaged, and spiritually anchored, often blending scripture with calls for accountability.
His colleagues described him as humble, courageous, and committed to dialogue over division.
Acting Government Chief Whip Ahmed Musa described Lokabang as a liberator who sacrificed his body for freedom and peace and pledged that Lokabang’s vision would not be forgotten.
“We promise to continue supporting the ideas and plans he worked for. We will work together to ensure his dreams for a better community and a stronger nation do not fade away.”