Juba, South Sudan October 5, 2025
- South Sudan news, Upper Nile State, Jacob Dollar Ruot, President Salva Kiir, SPLM leadership, South Sudan governors, peace and stability, community leaders, Nuer Chollo Dinka Maban Koma unity, Juba politics, South Sudan elections 2025
- “New Dawn for Upper Nile: Kiir’s Appointment of Jacob Dollar Ruot Wins Widespread Support”
Senior members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and prominent community leaders from Upper Nile State have declared full support for President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s appointment of Jacob Dollar Ruot as the new Governor of Upper Nile State.
The endorsement marks a significant show of unity within both the ruling party and the state’s diverse communities, following the recent dismissal of former Governor James Koang Chuol.
SPLM Bureau Members Unite Behind the President
According to senior party sources, all three SPLM Political Bureau members hailing from Upper Nile Simon Kun Puoch, Stephen Dhieu Dau, and Rebecca Joshua Okwaci have publicly welcomed the President’s choice, describing it as a strategic move toward restoring harmony and accelerating development in the state.
“President Kiir’s decision is both timely and inclusive. It reflects a deep understanding of Upper Nile’s political and social dynamics,” said one senior SPLM official familiar with the discussions at the party secretariat.
The SPLM heavyweights emphasized that Jacob Dollar Ruot’s appointment could strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the upcoming general elections and help consolidate peace in the restive region.
Broad Community Endorsement Across Ethnic Lines
Beyond political circles, influential community leaders from all five major ethnic groups Nuer, Chollo, Dinka, Maban, and Koma have also voiced approval, terming the appointment “balanced and unifying.”
A senior source at the SPLM Secretariat confirmed that consultations preceding the appointment involved broad-based community engagement to ensure inclusivity and representation.
Prominent local figures who have endorsed the move include Dinka Padang elder Deng Joh Angok, Maban leaders David Unyo Demey, Paulino David Ketta, and Luka Sadala, alongside Nuer leaders Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, John Gai Yoh, and Gabriel Tut Gatchai.
They hailed President Kiir for maintaining political equilibrium among Upper Nile’s diverse groupss a region historically affected by intercommunal mistrust and political rivalry.
“This appointment sends a clear message that President Kiir remains committed to inclusive governance and national unity,” said Nuer elder Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, a former diplomat and peace advocate. “Jacob Dollar is a pragmatic leader who understands the challenges on the ground.”
Focus on Peace, Service Delivery, and Reconciliation
Observers say Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot faces the immediate task of reconciling divided communities, reviving essential services, and ensuring security in volatile areas like Malakal, Tonga, and Baliet.
Political analysts also note that his administration’s success will depend on collaboration between the SPLM, local chiefs, and youth groups to rebuild trust among displaced populations.
The new governor is expected to prioritize peacebuilding, service delivery, and the return of displaced persons as key pillars of his governance agenda.
Strengthening SPLM Cohesion Ahead of Elections
The public show of solidarity from SPLM leaders is being interpreted as part of a broader strategy to project internal unity within the ruling party, especially as South Sudan prepares for its first post-war elections.
Analysts believe that such consensus in strategic states like Upper Nile long seen as a political and ethnic flashpoint could enhance SPLM’s image as a stabilizing force ahead of the polls.
Background
President Kiir announced the dismissal of Governor James Koang Chuol and the appointment of Jacob Dollar Ruot on October 3, 2025, through a presidential decree broadcast on SSBC.
The change in leadership followed months of reported friction within the state government and rising community concerns over slow service delivery and insecurity.
With Ruot’s appointment now widely accepted across political and community lines, observers say Upper Nile may finally be on a path toward renewed political stability and intercommunal reconciliation.
Comments
Post a Comment