According to the governor, Khamis died in the early hours of Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The cause of the demise was not immediately clear. His death, Mujung said, marks the loss of a “distinguished son of our nation” whose career was defined by discipline, loyalty, and an enduring commitment to serving the people.
Suleiman’s leadership career was closely tied to Juba, where he first served as Deputy Mayor of Juba City Council for two years before being appointed Mayor in January 2019 during the era of the defunct Jubek State.
His tenure was remembered for efforts to bring order and improve service delivery in the capital city, with limited success largely due to weak institutional frameworks, overlapping political jurisdictions, and chronic financial constraints that left the council underfunded and prone to mismanagement.
His efforts were further undermined by the city’s rapid, unplanned growth, widespread informality, and security challenges that made enforcing order difficult. Attempts to regulate markets, land use, and waste management often sparked resistance from residents, while public distrust of the council as a mere revenue collector hindered cooperation. Despite his discipline and commitment, these structural and political obstacles meant his reforms achieved only modest gains.
However, Mujung hailed Khamis’s mayoral role as a turning point in a life devoted to public service delivery.
“His appointment as Mayor of Juba City Council in January 2019—after serving as Deputy Mayor in the same institution—marked yet another chapter in a life devoted to service, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the public good,” Governor Emmanuel said in a statement issued today.
In honour of the late mayor’s contributions, the governor directed all government institutions in Central Equatoria State to lower their flags to half-mast. He further extended condolences to Suleiman’s family, colleagues in service, and citizens who valued his leadership.
