Female SPLM member Ferida Philip Nyanan has declared her intention to contest the party’s primaries for the flag bearer position in the upcoming Upper Nile State gubernatorial election.

Announcing her candidacy in Juba on Friday, Nyanan said her campaign would focus on unity, change, security and development in the state.

“It is an honour to stand in front of you today as a candidate for the SPLM in the position of governor of Upper Nile State, carrying a vision to bring unity, change and development,” Nyanan said.

A legal adviser by profession, she identified security and stability, the return of displaced communities and the improvement of basic services as key priorities of her proposed programme.

Nyanan said she would work to enable displaced residents to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

Her plans also include improving basic health facilities, supporting Malakal Teaching Hospital, maintaining water networks to provide clean drinking water and rehabilitating roads across the state.

“The return of communities to their homes, building their homes, the improvement of basic health facilities, or more precisely, the support of the Teaching Hospital in Malakal,” she said, outlining her priorities.

She also pledged to promote youth participation in development programmes, saying young people should be given opportunities to contribute to the state’s progress.

Nyanan said her programme would include “the integration of youth in development projects instead of carrying weapons.”

Her declaration comes as political preparations continue ahead of the SPLM primaries to select the party’s candidate for the Upper Nile State governorship.

Further details about her campaign programme and the party’s primary schedule were not provided in the announcement.