27/09/2026
A CRITICAL CALL FOR REFLECTION ON THE CURRENT GOVERNORSHIP RACE IN WARRAP STATE
PART 3
By Chol Machok Augustine Magak
Fellow South Sudanese, the people of Warrap State,
I am calling upon all of us to pause and make a critical reflection on what we want Warrap State to become and what kind of leadership we need to take it there.
As we witness more people emerging into political visibility as the governorship race takes shape, we must ask important questions, not out of hatred or personal opposition, but out of our responsibility to the people of Warrap State.
Who are these aspiring leaders? What have they done for our communities? Where were they when our people were facing insecurity, displacement, poverty, poor access to healthcare, inadequate education, water shortages and other challenges across our communities? What measurable contributions has each one of them made to peace and community development?
These questions are particularly important because the challenges facing Warrap are real. Our people continue to face insecurity, displacement, food insecurity, poor access to healthcare and education, inadequate infrastructure and water shortages.
Therefore, when someone seeks the highest political office in Warrap State, the people have every right to examine their records, experiences, community engagement, leadership capacity, personal responsibilities and vision.
QUESTIONS EVERY ASPIRING GOVERNOR SHOULD ANSWER
1. What have you done to promote peace and reconciliation in Warrap?
2. What have you done to improve the lives of ordinary citizens?
3. What have you contributed to education, healthcare, agriculture and clean water?
4. What have you done to improve roads and connectivity among our communities?
5. How have you engaged communities during times of crisis, not only when elections are approaching?
6. What practical plan do you have for transforming Warrap State?
7. What can you point to, as evidence that you are prepared to lead?
There is also another important area that citizens should consider: how aspiring leaders manage their personal, family and financial responsibilities.
Some contestants are reported to have very large households and multiple marriages, in some cases more than ten wives. This should not be used to judge someone's private life or determine their ability to lead. However, when someone seeks responsibility for managing public resources, citizens have a legitimate right to ask how they will maintain a clear separation between private interests and public responsibilities.
We should therefore ask:
1. How will you prevent family interests, relatives and close associates from influencing government decisions?
2. How will you ensure that public resources are not diverted to satisfy private or family obligations?
3. How will you prevent corruption, nepotism, favoritism and misuse of public funds?
4. How will you manage conflicts of interest between your private responsibilities and your duties as governor?
5. What financial accountability and transparency mechanisms will you establish?
6. How will you ensure that government positions are based on competence rather than family, friendship, clan or personal loyalty?
Having a large family or multiple marriages does not automatically mean that someone cannot lead public office. The real question is whether an aspiring governor can demonstrate the discipline, accountability and integrity required to separate personal interests from public resources and responsibilities.
These are not questions of hatred. They are questions of accountability.
We should not choose a governor simply because he is our son, our relative, our friend, or comes from our particular community. Warrap State belongs to all its people.
Our people need leadership capable of addressing insecurity and strengthening peace; expanding access to healthcare and education; improving roads and connectivity; increasing access to clean water; transforming agriculture and livestock production; creating opportunities for young people; and strengthening accountable and effective public administration.
So, fellow citizens, let us look beyond names, clans, friendships and political excitement. Let us look at records, capacity, experiences, community engagement, personal responsibility, accountability and realistic plans.
If someone has never meaningfully participated in addressing community problems, never demonstrated a sustained commitment to peace and development, and has had little visible engagement with the people, it is reasonable for citizens to ask why that person now seeks to lead the entire state.
This is not a call to hate anyone.
It is a call to awaken our minds, our hearts and our eyes.
Let us awaken to the responsibility of choosing leadership that can protect the dignity of the people of Warrap State, strengthen peace and unity, improve security, expand healthcare and education, connect our communities, provide clean water, transform agriculture, and create a better future for the next generation.
The question should not simply be: “Who is our son?”
The bigger question should be: “Who has the capacity, experience, record, responsibility and vision to serve the people of Warrap State?”
Let every aspiring governor present his or her record. Let every candidate engage the communities. Let them answer the hard questions. Let them explain how they will protect public resources and prevent corruption and mismanagement.
And let the people of Warrap State reflect carefully, ask questions, listen to the answers, examine the evidence, and make their own informed decisions.
Public office is not a family inheritance. It is a public trust.
Warrap State needs leadership that serves the people, not leadership that appears only when political opportunities arise.
This is our state. This is our responsibility. This is our future.
©2026 CMA
