11/09/2025
The Tragic Death of my brother Tong Gong aka Tong Gongdit,
On the 9th, around 5:00 PM, Tong and several other brothers went for an evening walk near a well-known church on 15th Street in Maadi, a residential area in Cairo. Along the way, Tong decided to return home to retrieve something he had forgotten, while the others continued on toward the area near the church. They remained there for nearly two hours, but Tong never rejoined them.
Around 7:00 PM, they left the area. A few minutes later, Tong called to say he had gone to the church area but couldnโt find them. They explained that they had already left and, due to his delay, they didnโt expect him to show up. Tong replied that he wouldnโt come to a place where they were currently .He said he was just taking some rest and would head back home.
Later that evening, one of the brothers attempted to call Tong regarding another matter, but his phone was unreachable. Assuming his battery might have died or that he had switched it off, they tried calling again around 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, but there was still no response.
At approximately 11:00 PM, as they were returning home and climbing the stairs, a young child rushed to them with alarming news: Tong was found lying unconscious on Medan Nadi, near the church on 15th Street. They rushed to the scene and found him bleeding from his head and mouth, surrounded by Egyptian police officers. When they tried to carry him to the hospital, the police stopped them.
Despite the severity of his injuries, the police did nothing for some time. One of the brothers quickly called Dr. Michael Mathiang Ngong, the Educational and Cultural Attachรฉ at the South Sudanese Embassy in Egypt. Upon his arrival and intervention, the police finally called an ambulance.
Tong was first taken to El Rayan Hospital, where a CT scan revealed multiple brain injuries, including epidural and subdural hemorrhages, as well as fractures at the base of the skull. However, the hospital did not have a neurosurgeon on staff and recommended transferring him elsewhere. He was given IV fluids (saline), but no further treatment was administered.
While in the ambulance on route to another hospital, the saline stopped flowing, and the brothers accompanying him feared he may have passed away at that moment. Upon arrival at Qasr El Ainy, a major public hospital, he was admitted to the ICU and placed on mechanical support. The brothers who brought him in were immediately taken by police for questioning.
At around 4:00 AM, the hospital informed them that Tong had also sustained severe neck injuries and that his breathing was irregular. By exactly 5:00 AM, the hospital contacted two brothers to inform them that Tong had succumbed to his injuries. His body was moved to the mortuary and is awaiting release pending the completion of legal documentation.
One of the brothers, who was taken back to Maadi Police Station for further questioning, reported that CCTV footage showed four South Sudanese youths suspected of attacking Tong. Sticks were found near the scene, and the nature of his injuries suggests he was brutally beaten with sticksโno knife wounds were observed. While the police have arrested several individuals, it is still unclear whether the actual perpetrators are among them.
Due to the complex legal procedures in Egypt, accessing the full CCTV footage has been difficult. However, Tong's family and community are determined to pursue justice and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Tong Gong was more than just a studentโhe was a brother, a friend, and a visionary with immense potential to serve his country, his state, and his community. He was a fourth-year veterinary medicine student at Cairo University and a former chairman of the Aweil Youth Union in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
We are deeply saddened that his life was cut short by senseless violence. This incident reflects a disturbing trend. Egypt is currently hosting a large number of South Sudanese refugees, many of whom are teenagers with no guidance or support. Unfortunately, some have become involved in criminal activities, including drug use and alcohol abuse, and they often target fellow South Sudanese.
We call on the Government of South Sudan to engage with UNHCR and Egyptian authorities to urgently address the growing threat of lawlessness among some members of the South Sudanese community in Egypt. Many lives have already been lost, particularly studentsโour future leaders.
May the soul of our brother, Tong Gong, rest in eternal peace๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
