South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) concluded a three-day leadership summit in Eastern Equatoria State on Wednesday, calling for party unity, grassroots mobilization, increased agricultural production and preparations for general elections scheduled for Dec. 22.
The meeting brought together SPLM officials from counties, administrative areas, municipalities, payams, youth, women’s and veterans’ groups to discuss party organization, peacebuilding and election readiness.
The meeting concluded with the launch of the party’s membership registration and renewal campaign, attended by Eastern Equatoria Governor and SPLM state chairperson Louis Lobong Lojore and other senior party officials.
State SPLM Secretary Akileo Mboya Peter said the gathering marked the start of a renewed effort to strengthen party structures ahead of the elections.
“The launch of the membership registration and renewal exercise is a significant milestone,” Akileo said, urging party officials at all levels to mobilize supporters and complete registration before electoral timelines.
He said the party’s strength depends on an active membership base reaching communities across the state and thanked the SPLM national secretariat for supporting the exercise.
Governor Lobong said delegates had agreed to prioritize peace, development, food production and election preparations.
“We have resolved to continue working for peace in the state. We have also agreed that we are ready for elections, and our people must return to agriculture and produce food for themselves,” he said.
Lobong urged residents to increase agricultural production to improve livelihoods and reduce dependence on external assistance.
He also said summit participants endorsed President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the SPLM’s presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, although the party has yet to formally announce its national ticket.
“The representatives accepted that elections are coming and endorsed President Kiir as the SPLM flag bearer,” Lobong said.
The governor called on citizens to register to vote once the process begins and urged those living away from their home constituencies to register wherever they are eligible.
Lobong also encouraged citizens to obtain SPLM membership cards, saying they would facilitate participation in party activities. He added that many rural residents faced difficulties obtaining national identity documents because of cost.
However, under South Sudan’s electoral law, voter eligibility is determined by legal citizenship and voter registration requirements rather than political party membership.
Makuch Aru Luach, the SPLM national secretary for states and membership affairs, said recommendations from the summit would be submitted to the party’s national leadership in Juba.
He urged citizens, particularly young people, to contribute to the state’s development through hard work, cooperation and community engagement.
South Sudan is due to hold its first post-independence general elections on Dec. 22 after repeated postponements. The electoral process has faced persistent concerns over security, political freedoms, civic space and the implementation of key provisions of the 2018 peace deal.
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