The swearing-in of Moulona James Al-Teib Jazz Berapai as the new Governor and SPLM Chairman of Western Equatoria State has sparked fresh debate about whether the ruling party can overcome years of internal rifts and political instability in the state.
Replacing Hon. Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, Al-Teibenters office at a time when SPLM in Western Equatoria has been weakened by factionalism, personal rivalries, and senior cadres often pursuing narrow interests at the expense of party unity.
In his inaugural speech at the National SPLM Secretariat in Juba, Al-Teib promised sweeping reforms that go beyond routine governance.
He outlined a four-point agenda: visiting prisons to review cases of detainees from WES, reforming land administration through new trainings, reviving stalled road projects, and touring counties with his deputy to strengthen links between government and citizens.
“Our mandate is to restore confidence in SPLM leadership. We must unite the party, serve the people, and ensure that Western Equatoria does not remain divided. We are here to build trust, not walls,” Al-Teib declared.
Analysts say the governor’s emphasis on roads and border controls signals a strategy to improve both economic connectivity and security in the state.
Meanwhile, his pledge to reform prison management and land governance could help address long-standing grievances that have fueled public mistrust.
Still, observers caution that Al-Teib faces a tough balancing act: uniting SPLM factions while also delivering development results in a region where political disillusionment has driven some to rebellion.
If successful, Al-Teib’s tenure could mark the beginning of a political turnaround for Western Equatoria, where citizens have long demanded unity, stability, and tangible service delivery.