Peter Lam Both

Hon. Peter Lam Both is a senior South Sudanese politician, diplomat, academic, and author who serves as the National Minister of Roads and Bridges for the Republic of South Sudan. He is a prominent high-ranking member of the ruling [Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)

Education

• Higher Education: He studied natural sciences at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He later earned advanced degrees from the University of Calgary in Canada.

Political and Diplomatic Career

• SPLM Representative to Canada (2006–2008): Served as the first official SPLM representative to Canada. He established 14 party chapters across Canadian cities to build diaspora backing and secure Canadian governmental support.
• Deputy Secretary for External Relations (2009): Appointed to lead international diplomacy and external engagement for the party.
• State Minister of Information (2010–2012): Managed public information, government communications, and media relations for Upper Nile State.
• NRRC Commissioner (2012–2013): Appointed by President Salva Kiir as Commissioner of the National Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (NRRC). He directed post-conflict recovery and humanitarian coordination.
• Governor of Latjoor State (2015): Following the creation of 28 new states, he was appointed as the inaugural Governor of the defunct Latjoor State. He focused heavily on establishing local governance systems and border security coordination.
• SPLM Secretary-General (2021–2025): Appointed as Acting Secretary-General in August 2021 and officially sworn into office in January 2023. He managed party administration and strategic alignment until February 2025.

National Ministerial Leadership

Following his tenure leading the ruling party, Peter Lam Both was appointed National Minister of Roads and Bridges. Working closely with Undersecretary Gabriel Makur Amour, his executive leadership centers on transforming South Sudan's connectivity:
• Infrastructure Fast-Tracking: Actively negotiates with parliamentary oversight committees to accelerate critical interstate highways.
• Trade Corridor Protection: Oversees heavy-load vehicle restrictions and coordinates a network of nationwide highway weighbridges to preserve vital economic routes.

Published Works

As an academic and author, he has published multiple books analyzing regional geopolitics and governance:
• International Relations of Ethiopia: The Strategy of a Developing State
• South Sudan: Beyond Ethnic and Political Inertia
• South Sudan and the SPLM: Reflections of the Former SPLM Secretary General
• South Sudan: Forgotten Tragedy