(Kapoeta) – The government of Eastern Equatoria State has announced the creation of the Kauto Administrative Area, a new administrative unit intended to improve the delivery of public services and government oversight in one of the region’s most remote and under served areas.
The declaration was made through Gubernatorial Order issued by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore on 18 June 2025, officially carving Kauto out of the vast Kapoeta East County.
Kauto lies in the far southeastern corner of South Sudan, bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, a region long affected by isolation, limited infrastructure, and minimal government presence. For years, residents have lived without access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and security.
Speaking to Eye Radio, Elias Ahaji, the State Minister of Information, described the creation of the new administrative unit as a critical move toward correcting this imbalance. He explained that the population of the area has been “cut off” from public services and governance structures, despite being part of South Sudan since its independence.
“Kapoeta is the largest county in the whole of the Republic of South Sudan,” said Minister Ahaji. “As part of that county, most government services have never reached Kauto. The majority of people are living there on their own, facing displacement, insecurity, and a lack of knowledge about the government.”
He noted that the government’s intention is to build trust by ensuring that tangible services reach the people. “We want to make sure that our presence is felt so we can help reduce the conditions they are suffering.”
The immediate priorities for the Kauto Administrative Area will be the establishment of essential services. These include healthcare, education, security, and access to clean water. According to Minister Ahaji, these sectors were chosen because of their foundational role in improving living standards and enabling sustainable development.
“Health is our major concern,” he said. “For any community to be productive, it must have a healthy population. We are also emphasising education, because without education, no society can progress. Then comes water and security — all four are key.”
He added that better communication between Kauto and the state government is essential to help residents feel part of the broader national framework.
In the coming months, the government is expected to appoint officials to lead the administration in Kauto and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to begin rolling out services.
