South Sudan’s National Constitution Review Commission’s chairman, Professor Akolda Ma’an Tier, has died.

Professor Akolda died in his hotel room on Monday evening in Kampala, Uganda shortly before traveling to Germany.

He was on his way to seek medical assistance.

A member of the commission, Sarah James said that the sudden death of Prof. Akolda is a big loss to the country.

“He is somebody who is knowledgeable, educated and even during our discussion here in the commission he listens to all of us during discussions,” Ms Sarah added.

Professor Akolda Ma’an Tier was the head of the department of International Law and Comparison at the University of Khartoum.

He was the first South Sudanese to become the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Khartoum. He was also a visiting fellow at a number of universities, lecturing in international law.

Professor Akolda was appointed by President Salva Kiir as chairperson of the National Constitution Review Commission in January 2012.