The unity state civil society network elected on Thursday new leaders who will be charged with
defending human rights of vulnerable people in the state.
Thijin Yian Kap was elected the new chairperson of the unity state civil society network after earning 32 votes out of 47 votes cast.
He was declared winner by the election commission chairperson John Chuoye Thurbiel after beating Gattiek Tap Teny who got 15 votes.
“I have declared Thijin Yian Kap as the winner to lead unity state civil society network for the period of one year according to our constitution, the total voters were 47,” said Thurbiel.
The elections were witnessed by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Civil Affairs Division, Human Rights Division, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS) and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).
Thurbiel said that the elections were free and fair, adding that they are the first democratic elections.
John Beek Bol, the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division Officer in Unity state urged the newly elected civil society network leadership to be neutral and advocate for the voice of voiceless people.
“You should be neutral and non –partisan in order to address issues affecting vulnerable people without taking part in politics,” said Bol.
He promised that UNMISS will continue to support the civil society network in Unity state through capacity building training and supporting their activities in the state.
