James Hoth Mai, the former South Sudanese army chief, is the new leader of the Nuer community leadership forum, winning with an overwhelming majority in an election conducted in Juba on Saturday.

Hoth won 67 out of 82 votes to defeat the deputy speaker of parliament, Timothy Tot Chuol, who won 15 votes. The former army chief was declared leader of the Nuer forum for peace.

Different sections of the Nuer community in Juba participated in the election held over the weekend. The electoral committee was headed by Professor John Ruach Jal.

The event was attended by high profile members of the Nuer community in Juba notably the presidential adviser on education, John Gai Nyuot Yoh and presidential adviser on gender, Rachael Nyadak Paul Giel.

Other high profile political figures who participated in the elections were Minister of Transport, John Luk Jok, Minister of Petroleum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth and Governor of Fangak state, John Kong Nyuon as well as officials representing governors of Latjor, Bieh, Akobo, Maiwut, Southern Liech and Northern Liech states. National and state members of parliament also took part in the exercise.

Latjor state information minister Hoth Tuach said the forum is a place where Nuer community discusses its issues first. He added it would also be a forum where issues to do with governance, unity, peace, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence with members of other communities in the country and beyond will be discussed. However, he said the Nuer forum is not a political entity.