The Office of the President has declared three days of national mourning for the former presidential advisor on political affairs, Lual Ding Wol.

Mr Lual passed away in Nairobi on Monday evening after an illness. He was 85 years old.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny says the national flag is flying at half-mast.

“The flag is being flow at half-mast and a committee has been formed for a state funeral because Lual Ding was a member of the SPLM-SPLA political military command, where he was a founding member of the decision-making body,” Mr Ateny told Eye Radio.

Mr Ateny says the burial committee includes the defense minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk and the SPLA Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong Awan.

“His body is still in Nairobi and will be flown to Juba as soon as his wife arrives from Australia,” he added.

The body of late Lual Ding is expected to be laid to rest in Ariath town in Lol State. The burial arrangements have not been confirmed.