(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – The remains of veteran parliamentarian Anthony Kudus Justine have been airlifted to Kajo Keji for burial, with Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony and national parliamentary leaders paying tribute to a man who served the people for more than three decades.
Governor Adil joined family, colleagues and friends at Juba International Airport on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to see off the remains of the Member of Parliament in the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
Mr Kudus served the people of Kajo Keji County in Central Equatoria State with humility, dedication and commitment. His legacy is measured by the lives he touched and the trust his constituents placed in him throughout his career in public service, according to a statement released by the Office of the State Governor in Juba.
Addressing mourners at the airport, Governor Adil extended his condolences to the late MP’s immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and the people of Kajo Keji and Central Equatoria State.
Earlier, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly held a formal Reception of Tribute in honour of the late legislator. Speaker Joseph Ngere Paciko presided over the sitting and delivered a eulogy acknowledging the late lawmaker’s service and legacy within the House.
Speaker Paciko noted the deceased’s contributions in structuring the Parliamentary Service Commission, constituency representation and national legislative work. He recalled travelling with the late MP to Kenya and Ghana in 2014 to research and benchmark for the establishment of the Commission, describing him as a friend, counsel and close confidant.
The Speaker said the operational Parliamentary Service Commission, which resulted in the autonomy of the Parliament of South Sudan, stands as a great contribution of the late Mr Kudus.
The Speaker urged mourners, colleagues and fellow Members of Parliament to engage in self reflection and to dedicate themselves to public service. He said the best tribute they can give the late MP is to finish the work he started by serving with integrity and fully operationalising the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Speaker Paciko further announced Parliament’s intent to institutionalise a structured tribute framework and to adopt Standing Order provisions for Motions of Condolence. He said the proposed Demonstrative Tribute System will ensure that tributes to deceased members are conducted in a dignified, consistent and procedurally recognised manner in future sittings.
In his full tribute, the Speaker reflected on the loss of more than one hundred colleagues in the Assembly and called on members to number their days and gain a heart of wisdom. He urged them to invest time properly in people and purpose, to serve others well and to avoid wasting days on anger, pride, conspiracy, rumour mongering or empty busyness.
The late Anthony Kudus Justine served in the House from 2010 until he fell ill and passed away.