Unity state minister dies in India after suffering from lungcancer

By Bonifacio Taban

January 14, 2012 (BENTIU) – The minister for agriculture in South Sudan’s Unity State died 9 January in India after receiving treatment for seven months in Nairobi hospital. The late minister passed seven surgery in the stomach before his referral to India for further medication treatment.

John Both Puok was appointed as the state minister of agriculture after the 2010 general elections.

On January 9, when South Sudan was celebrating the 2005 signing of the peace deal that led to independence in July 2011. January 9 also marks when voting began for South Sudan self-determination referendum.

The Unity State governor declared Friday 13 as a day of mourning across the oil-producing state.

Before serving as the minister of agriculture in Bentui, Puok was a member of the liberation council of the office of South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) in the state.

Unity State deputy governor, William Dawut Riak, addressing a mourning gathering at Bentiu town, said that the Puok was a brilliant leader in the SPLM activities in the state and set a good example in promoting peace.

Riak added that the late minister was a friend to everyone in the state through his political flexibility. He urged everyone in the state to take care of Puok family.

State authorities say they have tried their best over seven months to treat the minister transferring him from Kenya to India to further his treatment.

The late minister died of lung cancer the state minister of information and communication, Gideon Gatpan Thoar, said on Bentiu radio.

(ST)