The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Lakes State has called for the restructuring of its party structures from the grassroots to the state level.
The call was made during a three-day SPLM leadership retreat in the state capital, Rumbek, which began on Thursday.
The retreat is being held under the theme of peace, unity and service delivery, with party officials discussing the organisation’s structures, performance and preparations for the country’s general elections.
Opening the retreat, Lakes State Governor Madhang Majok Meen, who is also the state SPLM chairperson, said the meeting is an opportunity for party members to review their structures.
“We came here purposely to talk to ourselves so that we look at our structures from down up to the upper level,” he said.
Majok said the restructuring should begin at the boma level and extend to the state level.
He said the government and the SPLM have a responsibility to promote peace, development and service delivery in the state.
“We must work hard so that we develop and deliver services for our people,” he said.
The governor also urged party members to begin mobilising for the general elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.
He said the retreat would help the party decide how to reorganise its structures and prepare for the elections.
Marer Aluel, the SPLM assistant secretary for political mobilisation in Lakes State, said the retreat is intended to assess the party’s achievements and weaknesses.
He urged members of the party’s executive and parliamentary caucuses to participate in discussions on how to improve the implementation of its programmes.
SPLM Secretary-General in Lakes State Asunta Bawouda said the meeting would also focus on leadership and the conduct of party members.
She urged participants to contribute to discussions and help develop frameworks that could guide the party’s work at different levels.
“Together, we shall achieve whatever we want to do in Lakes State,” she said.
The three-day retreat is expected to conclude with recommendations on strengthening the party’s structures and preparing for the upcoming elections.
South Sudan’s general elections are scheduled for 22 December 2026, after several delays since the country gained independence in 2011. President Salva Kiir is expected to seek another term.
The SPLM is currently the most visible political party preparing for the elections, with its officials holding mobilisation and organisational meetings in several parts of the country. Other political parties and opposition groups have so far not been seen carrying out comparable public mobilisation campaigns on the same scale.
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