The Nuer Youth Union, a community-based organization dedicated to cultural preservation and representing the Nuer community in South Sudan, elected Both Kuol Nyang from the Unity of Purpose coalition as its new president on Sunday, December 17th, in Juba.
Both Kuol Nyang secured 60 votes out of 241 voters, representing the 16 counties. Each county had 15 delegates nominated by their respective youth chairpersons. The NUYU constitution mandates that all candidates and voters must be between 18 and 35 years old, in line with the provisions of the South Sudan National Youth Union and regional and international legal frameworks.
Gathoth Pal Ruach, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of NUYU, declared the results, announcing the candidate from the Unity of Purpose coalition as the winner of the election.
“According to Article 32 of the NUYU Constitution 2007 and Regulation 12.1 of the NUYU 2023, the Independent Electoral Board hereby declares Both Kuol Nyang, the candidate for Purpose, with 60 votes, as our chairman-elect,” stated Ruach.
Wany Lam Tuor of Nuer Unity First and Wiyual Pal Kun of National Peace Coalition both garnered 57 votes each. Nyanpal Peter Thot Nyuon of Team Mission Coalition secured 34 votes, while Chuol Gony Gatluak of the Kondialkeel coalition received 17 votes. Nhial Thomas Tut of the nonpartisan coalition obtained 9 votes.
Following the election, the new NUYU leadership team, led by Both Kuol Nyang, will include Thuok Koang, Daniel Galuoth, Gatluak Moses, and Raan Manyang in the positions of Deputy Chair, Secretary-General, Secretary for Finance, and Secretary for NUYU Affairs, respectively.
Shortly after being elected as the chairman-elect, Both addressed the press, pledging to reform NUYU within his first six months in office and enhance the union’s engagement in its affairs.
“I have a lot to do in this union, but let me mention a few priorities. One of my initial objectives in the first six months is to revitalize the union, which has lacked youth activity for almost 13 years. I am here to bring about reform, and my first action will be to establish an office for all youth to address their challenges,” explained Both.
He emphasized that a significant issue on his agenda is to unite the divided Nuer communities. Both plans to travel to all their counties in the three states of the Upper Nile region, assess their challenges, and devise strategies to address them.
“I aim to unite the Nuer youth under one umbrella. While we haven’t had a robust union in this country, my role as a nonpartisan leader is to bring the divided Nuer communities together. I don’t align with any political party; I will be their leader, and I am confident that I can unite them regardless of their political affiliations. I plan to visit all sixteen counties of Nuer,” he affirmed.
All five candidates have accepted the election results and pledged to collaborate with the newly elected board. With this victory, Both and his team replace Poul Chuol, who assumed office in 2012.
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