Late Rev. Mathew Mathiang. (-)

A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Rev. Mathew Mathiang Deng died on Tuesday at the age of 76 after contracting cholera in Bentiu, Unity State, his family confirmed.

His son Manasseh Mathew Mathiang said the lawmaker died in Bentiu where he was on an official visit following his invitation by the state governor.

“My dad succumbed to the deadly cholera disease that is affecting our nation right now and our state in particular,” he said.

“He was invited by the governor together with other community leaders. And one day, while they were having dinner, he fell sick and when he was taken to hospital, that is when the doctors confirmed, it is cholera.”

Manasseh said his father was hospitalized before his death a few hours later despite the effort of medical personal trying to save his life.

He said the family is comforted by the fulfilled life of the deceased, whom he said served his nation diligently both as a legislator and as minister of the words of God for decades.

Until his death, late Rev. Mathiang was a national lawmaker representing Koch and Guit constituencies in Unity State at the national parliament.

He was formerly the moderator and peace and advocacy coordinator of the Presbyterian church.

He has also served as leader of the Western Nuer Community, former chairperson of Jagey Community, and deputy leader of Nuer Leadership Forum.

Rev. Mathiang is survived by several sons and daughters.

On Tuesday, health authorities in Unity reported 5,403 suspected cholera cases and more than 101 related deaths since the outbreak was declared in October 2024 – amid rapid spread and insufficient response.

John Mut, Director General of the state ministry of health said the death roll has sharply risen from 70 people on Sunday to nearly 100 as of Monday, December 23.

Mr. Mut narrated that the outbreak is worsened by open defecation, flooding and the overcrowding at displacement camps. According to him, the state health facilities face a serious lack of oral rehydration solutions and insufficient vaccines.

The health official also said the scale of the crisis could be far higher as many infections are nursed at home due to stigma around the disease.