The Aweil Youth Union in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Sunday announced Tito Awen Akot as its new chairperson after he beat Ahou Garang Ciir and Mawein Garang at the polls.  

Two other candidates, Alom Atak and Anei Valentino Wieu, earlier on Saturday withdrew from the race in favor of the other candidates.

The Chairman of the electoral committee, William Diara, counted the ballots and announced the results in the presence of journalists, observers and security personnel.

“Mawein Garang got 6 out of 81 votes, Ahou Garang Ciir got 31 votes out of 81 votes and Tito Awen Bol won with 44 votes out of 81 votes,” Diara declared.  “Awen’s tenure is effective from today (Sunday) 9 October 2022 to 9 October 2024, which is two-year-term.”

The South Sudan National Youth Union Secretary General, Justin Urio Ajongo, confirmed the elections were free and fair and said it is the mandate of the national youth body to ensure that the youth are given a chance to elect a leader of their choice.

“The election was free and fair and that is our mandate in the South Sudan National Youth Union,” Urio said. “We believe that power should be the responsibility of people and the youth are the one holding power and if they decided to give it to anyone they trust, it is their mandate.”

He appreciated security personnel, media, and observers for their tireless efforts in monitoring the success of the elections.

On his part, Ahou Garang Ciir, the runner up accepted the results of the elections and congratulated the new chairperson.

“I would want to say that this election has gone well and that was all about it and congratulations to Tito Awen,” Ciir said.