The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party’s Eastern Equatoria State Secretariat on Monday commenced a four-day expanded state leadership meeting in Torit to strengthen party structures, promote peace, improve grassroots mobilization, and prepare for the upcoming 2026 General Elections.
The meeting, under the theme “Transforming the SPLM Vision into Action,” brought together SPLM Party state leaders, county chairpersons, party officials, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving the party’s organizational capacity and increasing engagement with communities.
Addressing participants, the SPLM Secretary for Eastern Equatoria State, Akileo Mboya Peter, said the meeting represents an important moment for the party to reflect on its progress and identify practical ways to strengthen its structures.
“‘Transforming the SPLM Vision into Action’ carries a message of collective responsibility, discipline, unity, and commitment to the aspirations of the people of South Sudan and Eastern Equatoria in particular,” he said. “Our vision as a country can only be realized through collective action, discipline, unity and unwavering commitment to the aspirations of our people.”
Mboya explained that the meeting will focus on strengthening peace, security, social cohesion, grassroots structures, membership registration, economic development, and preparing the party for the 2026 General Elections.
The SPLM state secretary also said the discussions are guided by resolutions from the SPLM Leadership Summit held in Juba from 22-27 July 2026, which addressed issues of security, governance, economy, and social cohesion.
Meanwhile, Makuach Aru Luach, SPLM Secretary for States and Membership Affairs at the National Secretariat in Juba, urged party members to prioritize membership registration and strengthen grassroots structures ahead of the general elections.
“We have a general election, and this election needs us to prepare right now,” he said. “We need to go to the grassroots and know our members from boma, payam and county levels.”
He also called for improved security across Eastern Equatoria, saying peace and stability are necessary for political activities and effective community mobilization.
For his part, Eastern Equatoria State Governor and SPLM Chairperson Louis Lobong Lojore challenged party members to move beyond meetings and take responsibility for mobilizing communities. He urged leaders to return to counties, administrative areas, payams, and bomas to register every eligible SPLM member and supporter.
“No community should be left behind, and no eligible member should remain unregistered,” he said.
Lobong emphasized the importance of strengthening party institutions by ensuring that leadership opportunities and appointments follow established party procedures rather than individual lobbying or community pressure.
Conversely, Eddy William Ponsiano, SPLM Chairperson for Torit County, encouraged party members to prepare for the elections. He said the party must remain organized and focused despite challenges, including concerns about security.
On her part, Dr. Margret Itto Leonardo, SPLM Party Deputy Chairperson for Eastern Equatoria State, expressed excitement over the large turnout of party members during the meeting. She described the gathering as a demonstration of commitment and readiness.
“Let us hold our hands together so that we remember tomorrow that we are united to move on for the success of SPLM,” she said.
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