South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has barred active members of the armed forces and other organised forces from participating in its internal nomination process ahead of the country’s planned December elections.
SPLM Secretary-General Akol Paul Kordit said on Thursday that members of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other organised forces who remain in active service are prohibited from taking part in party activities, including the nomination process.
“Those who are actively serving in the armed forces and other organised forces are strictly prohibited from participating in party activities,” Kordit told reporters in Juba.
He said members of the forces would only be eligible to participate after they had been decommissioned, officially released from service and are no longer active members of the SSPDF or other organised forces.
“These are the only people who are qualified to participate in the nomination, but not people in active service in uniform,” he said.
The announcement comes as the SPLM conducts an internal process to select candidates for legislative and executive positions ahead of elections.
Kordit said submitting a nomination form is only an initial step and doesn’t guarantee a party ticket. Aspirants for legislative positions would have to return to their constituencies to participate in party primaries, while those seeking executive positions, including state governorships, would have to take part in party congresses.
The nomination process in Juba is due to close on Friday, Oct. 9, Kordit said. From next week, the party will send delegations to the states and administrative areas to distribute nomination forms to members who have not been able to submit them in the capital.
Kordit said the party would announce dates for its congresses and primaries in the coming days, including in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states and the Greater Pibor and Ruweng administrative areas.
SPLM Secretary for Culture, Information and Communication Jimmy Atilio said on Wednesday that party members outside Juba would not be required to travel to the capital to obtain nomination forms.
He said the party has received a “good number” of expressions of interest from members seeking various positions, but has not disclosed the figure.
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