Ex-South Sudan envoy to Russia succumbs to COVID-19

JUBA –  Senior South Sudan main armed opposition politician and former ambassador of the world’s youngest country to the Russian Federation, Telar Ring Deng, has succumbed to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.

He died on Tuesday at Aspen medical Centre in Juba where he was receiving treatment for Covid-19-related complications.

On 24th December 2020, Ring announced on his social media page that he was tested positive for COVID-19 and receiving treatment at Aspen medical Centre.

“On 24th December 2020, I tested positive for COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at Aspen Medical Centre after a short period of illness. I was immediately transferred to the IDU and currently stable,” the senior opposition official said.

“As we head into the festive season, we should be vigilant and remember that COVID-19 still exists. Let’s continue wearing our masks, maintaining social distance and washing our hands or sanitizing,” he further added in the statement.

During the CPA period, Telar was named Minister of the Presidency of Southern Sudan. However, he was expelled from the SPLM by a presidential decree of the President on November 23, 2007. Telar was reinstated as a SPLM member on August 28, 2009.

In 2013 Telar was named Minister of Justice by President Salva Kiir. However, on August 13, 2013 the parliament of South Sudan voted by majority against Telar’s nomination. 150 MPs voted against Telar’s appointment, 97 in favour. This was the first time a presidential nomination for minister had been rejected by the South Sudanese parliament.

In October 2014 he was reportedly named as the new South Sudanese envoy to the Russian Federation, a post he held until resigning in January 2018.