A member of East African Parliament representing South Sudan, Hon. Gideon Gatpan Thor, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly and former Unity State Minister of Information, has declared his intention to contest for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) gubernatorial ticket in oil-rich Unity State ahead of South Sudan’s December general elections.
South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on December 22, 2026, which are expected to mark the country’s first national elections since independence in 2011. Political parties are preparing to select candidates for the presidential, gubernatorial and legislative races, with the SPLM conducting internal primaries to determine who will represent the party.
Gatpan said his priorities would include addressing oil pollution, tackling flooding, strengthening security, promoting accountable governance and investing state resources in public services, including schools and hospitals.
“We want to invest in schools, strengthen security with our neighbours and move our economy forward. I want my leadership to be accountable. We must have open books for Unity State,” Gatpan said.
He called on SPLM members in Unity State to support his candidacy, citing his previous public service as evidence of his leadership experience. His past roles include serving as Unity State Minister of Information and Commissioner of Mayiandit County.
Gatpan’s declaration comes as several aspirants seek the SPLM ticket ahead of the gubernatorial race. Other contenders include former Minister of Land and Housing Michael Chiangjiek, former Unity State Governor Justice Riek Bim Top and three other aspirants.
The party primaries will determine the SPLM candidate for the Unity State governorship in the December elections. The outcome will shape the party’s representation in the state-level contest as political parties prepare for the national polls.