EALA lawmakers enter race for Upper Nile and Unity State governorships under SPLM ticket

JUBA — Two active members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) representing South Sudan have officially submitted their bids to run for governorships in two of the country’s major oil-producing regions ahead of the ruling party primaries.

Hon. Kim Gai Ruot has submitted his intention to contest for the Upper Nile State gubernatorial seat, while Hon. Gideon Gatpan Thor has declared his bid for Unity State under the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) ticket.

Both candidates are veteran two-term members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA 4 and 5) and are now seeking their party’s mandate to contest the upcoming December polls.

In Upper Nile State, Hon. Kim Gai outlined an ambitious vision centered on inclusivity, reconciliation, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.

Hon. Gai pledged to champion the 35% affirmative action policy, setting a target to achieve a balanced 50-50 gender representation between women and men in his prospective administration. To combat corruption, he stated that he would place trust in women by involving them directly in financial institutions.

Addressing social and environmental issues, Gai promised to fight environmental pollution in the state and introduced plans to adopt Rwanda’s reconciliation model, establishing a center in Adong where the people of Upper Nile can heal and reconcile.

He also vowed to promote rich local heritage through the Chollo King, establishing a cultural center located in Fashoda to position Upper Nile as the cultural heartland of South Sudan.

Finally, he committed to advocating for the construction of a national parliamentary building in the Doleib Hill area where the Sobat and White Nile rivers meet.

Announcing his candidacy to the media, Hon. Gideon Gatpan pledged that if nominated by the SPLM and elected by citizens in December, his administration would place peace and security at the forefront of his agenda.

Gatpan emphasized that his leadership would prioritize sustainable peace, including peaceful coexistence with neighboring communities.

He also committed to tackling severe environmental degradation caused by petroleum operations, vowing to address oil pollution decisively to protect local lives and ecosystems. Additionally, expanding youth employment opportunities forms a cornerstone of his core priorities for the state.

Furthermore, Gatpan promised strict financial transparency and accountability, stating that he would maintain an open-door policy to listen directly to the views and concerns of citizens.

Hon. Gideon Gatpan, MP at the East African Legislative Assembly – Courtesy