Former South Sudan parliament speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba has renewed her membership of the ruling SPLM in Yambio, urging party members to participate in registration ahead of planned elections.
Kumba registered on Thursday at the SPLM state secretariat in Yambio, where her name was entered in the party’s membership register under Tambura County. The registration was attended by SPLM officials and community members.
Kumba, a senior SPLM member and member of the party’s Political Bureau and Liberation Council, said she had chosen to register in Yambio rather than the capital, Juba, to encourage grassroots participation in the exercise.
“I have mobilized a big number of SPLM members from Tambura to come and register here,” she said.
She said the registration would also support preparations for SPLM activities in Tambura County, where the exercise is expected to be launched when the party leadership visits.
Kumba urged SPLM members to renew their membership and encouraged them to register as voters when the national voter registration exercise begins.
She also called on party supporters to continue backing President Salva Kiir Mayardit, describing the SPLM as a party that brings people together.
South Sudan is due to hold elections in December 2026, although preparations have faced political and logistical challenges.
During her visit, Kumba also appealed for peace and reconciliation in Western Equatoria State, describing the state as relatively peaceful.
She cautioned against taking the current stability for granted and said communities and political leaders should work to consolidate peace.
“Peace is the foundation for development and the delivery of essential services to the people,” she said, referring to services including healthcare.
Kumba also called on people still carrying weapons to abandon violence and engage in dialogue with the government.
“As a leader from this state, I mobilize our people and talk to them about reconciliation, peace and forgiveness,” she said.
Manaseh Doboyi, SPLM state secretary in Western Equatoria, welcomed Kumba’s registration, saying her visit would encourage members and supporters to participate in the exercise.
Doboyi said the state party leadership launched the membership registration exercise last month under the leadership of Western Equatoria Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa.
Sanangore, the SPLM secretariat’s assistant secretary for administration and finance in Yambio, said Kumba’s presence could boost party mobilisation in the state.
He described Kumba as a political mentor and said senior party leaders had a role to play in mobilising members at both state and national levels.
“By your coming, the SPLM will get more support,” he said.
Sanangore also appealed for assistance to address logistical and financial difficulties at the state SPLM office, including repairs to its only vehicle and improvements to the party building.
He said the office still needs items including fans and ceiling boards and that the party is unable to meet the cost of repairing its vehicle.
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