Juba, South Sudan – Colonel Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro has devoted his life to the promotion of unity, transparency and the democratic process in his native South Sudan since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which officially ended his country’s devastating civil war.  Bakosoro currently serves as the governor of Western Equatoria and was the only independent candidate to be elected to one of South Sudan’s 10 governorships in the 2010 general elections.  After leaving the seminary in 1991 to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) in its struggle against the Sudanese government, Bakosoro eventually helped the movement transition from a rebel group into a political party.

After an intense SPLM candidate selection process in late 2010, Bakosoro was ordered by his party’s political bureau to step aside and allow the incumbent governor of Western Equatoria to stand for reelection, even though the SPLM state electoral college had chosen Bakosoro as the party’s candidate.  Ensuring that he abided by the country’s electoral laws and constitution, Bakosoro defied orders and registered as an independent candidate.

Without the support of party finances, Bakosoro ran a grassroots campaign.  He relied on in-kind donations and support from the local population, which was noticeably attracted to his calls for unification and ethnic conflict mitigation.  After defeating the incumbent governor by little more than 5,000 votes, Bakosoro made a concerted effort to heal the relationships wounded by the divisions created during the heated elections.  In his inauguration speech to the citizens of Western Equatoria, Bakosoro called on the people to rally behind SPLM and unite in the movement’s dream of a unified Southern Sudan.  He announced a multi-party cabinet, sought reconciliation with SPLM leadership and promoted a platform of religious and ethnic harmony.

Under Bakosoro’s leadership, Western Equatoria has experienced an exceptional level of peace and prosperity.  He used his military experience to stamp out the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a Ugandan-based terrorist group, implemented policies to fight corruption and promoted democratic governance.  Moreover, he continues to eliminate deep-seated animus between political opponents, all while promoting a platform of reconciliation and unity among his state’s myriad of ethnic groups.

His dedication has not gone unnoticed.  In December 2011, President Salva Kiir thanked the governor for his commitment to maintaining peace in the region and in January 2012, Bakosoro was voted South Sudan’s best governor by a group of religious leaders.

Bakosoro has proven himself to be a leader committed to democratic ideals.  His ability to promote transparency, peace and security while combating corruption in a state once plagued by its ethnic conflict and political ineptitude is nothing short of remarkable.  His cohesive leadership skills, moreover, give reason to be optimistic about South Sudan’s young, burgeoning democracy.

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