Historic Community Vote in Juba
A rare display of organised grassroots democracy unfolded at Nyakuroon Cultural Centre, Juba, as the Kakwa community cast ballots to pick their cultural chief for the next four years.
Out of 293 valid votes, senior administrator Dada Isaac Lemi secured 191, defeating veteran politician Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu, who garnered 102.
Ballot Math and Border Hopes
Observers from civic groups praised the transparent count, noting that Kakwa clans live across South Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so the outcome resonates beyond Juba.
“The message is unity without frontiers,” said researcher Stella Logali, adding that peaceful polling can influence other border communities.
Who is Isaac Lemi?
Lemi, 40, oversees administration and logistics at the National Communication Authority, blending academic rigour with field pragmatism.
His résumé lists two master’s degrees, a bachelor’s in development studies, and diplomas in international relations, project planning, and procurement.
Colleagues recall his stint as executive director in the telecom regulator, where he liaised with the East African Communications Organization and the Smart Africa Initiative.
Mandate for Youth and Enterprise
During his acceptance address, Lemi pledged to prioritise education bursaries, cross-border trade facilitation, and conflict-sensitive agriculture.
Local entrepreneur Sarah Pitia believes that stance could unlock fresh markets for cassava and groundnuts produced in Lainya County.
Grassroots Elections as Civic Classrooms
South Sudan has not held national polls since independence, yet community ballots like the Kakwa vote increasingly serve as rehearsal spaces for future elections.
Political analyst James Kiden comments that such exercises “normalise the secret ballot, lower tensions, and build trust in institutions.”
Regional Ripples
Officials in Yei River County hinted that the orderly Kakwa process might inspire similar leadership renewals among the Pojulu and Bari peoples.
Cross-border meetings are already scheduled for October to discuss shared grazing corridors and telecom coverage.
A Cautious Path Forward
Lemi will be sworn in next month; his challenge is to translate credentials into inclusive programmes while keeping the community’s diverse diaspora engaged.
For now, residents relish a rare headline about ballots, not bullets, shaping their collective future.