19/05/2026
๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ป ๐ฎ๐ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ก๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป
Tuesday 19 May 2026 โ Juba, South Sudan
The SPLM First Deputy Chairman and Vice President of the Republic, Cde. Prof. James Wani Igga, officially presided over the swearing-in ceremony of James Koung Chuol as the SPLM Chairperson for Upper Nile State at the SPLM House in Juba today.
The appointment followed a recent Republican Decree issued earlier this month by the Chairman of the SPLM and President of the Republic, H.E Cde. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Addressing the ceremony, Cde. Prof. James Wani Igga urged the new leadership in Upper Nile State to prioritize economic transformation, agriculture, security, and development.
He emphasized that improving the economy is essential for stability and public trust, stressing the importance of ensuring salaries are paid and strengthening key economic sectors in the state. He noted that relying solely on oil revenues and the five percent oil share was insufficient, calling instead for economic diversification.
Prof. Igga described Upper Nile State as one of the most fertile regions for agriculture in South Sudan, citing Renk County as an example of the stateโs agricultural potential. He encouraged the state leadership to expand agricultural production across all counties and also invest heavily in the management and export of gum Arabic, describing it as a major economic opportunity capable of transforming the stateโs economy within a short period.
He further called for improved river transport and security coordination between Upper Nile and Juba to facilitate trade and open transport routes for business activities. He also highlighted the untapped potential of the Renk electricity project, saying peace and stability in the area could attract investors and boost manufacturing and industrial development.
The SPLM Third Deputy Chairman, Simon Kun Pouch, urged the newly sworn-in chairperson to uphold the vision, mission, and values of the SPLM Party. He advised him to lead inclusively and unite the people of Upper Nile State. โYou must be a leader, not a boss. A leader works inclusively and brings people together,โ Simon Kun Pouch stated.
Meanwhile, the SPLM Secretary General, Cde. Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, congratulated James Koung on his appointment and described Upper Nile State as one of the most strategic states in the country due to its borders with Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as its oil resources.
He noted that the state symbolizes national unity because of its diverse communities and emphasized that peace and stability in Upper Nile are crucial for the country. He called on the new leadership to strengthen the SPLM Party, maintain security, and work closely with other government institutions in the state.
In his remarks, the newly appointed SPLM Chairperson and Governor of Upper Nile State, Cde. James Koung, described the occasion as a renewed commitment to peace, unity, stability, and development for the people of Upper Nile State.
โThe future of Upper Nile depends on our collective ability to work together in the spirit of peace, unity, and shared responsibility for the welfare of our people,โ he stated.
He concluded by assuring the SPLM leadership and citizens that he would work to strengthen the party, consolidate peace, improve security, and advance the social and economic well-being of the people of Upper Nile State.
SPLM National Secretariat
18/05/2026
16/05/2026