As South Sudan approaches its 2026 elections, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has called for political tolerance and peaceful engagement.
Cde. Bol Makueng Yuol, Secretary General for Political
Affairs, Mobilization and Organizations, encouraged South Sudanese to embrace
dialogue over confrontation in their political dealings.
“We don’t want a South Sudanese to die in the hands of
another South Sudanese. Let us dialogue. If you are not happy with a particular
party, move out peacefully, establish your political party and continue
propagating your ideas,” Makueng told reporters on Wednesday.
“The people of South Sudan will choose the programs of the
political parties. The political party that has the best program that addresses
their needs will be the party that they will choose.”
According to South Sudan’s Political Parties Council (PPC),
only 29 parties are officially registered, despite the country having more than
50 political parties.
Makueng reaffirmed the SPLM’s commitment to democratic
processes and its readiness for the upcoming elections.
“The SPLM in its consultation with the leadership is
prepared for elections in 2026. In addition, the SPLM also directed its members
in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to recommendations of the
Election Commission so that elections are held expedite on the planned time in
South Sudan,” he stated.
The remarks follow the resignation of senior SPLM member
Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, who quit the party and formed the South Sudan Salvation
Movement (SSSM).
Deng claimed the SPLM and Juba regime betrayed the
liberation struggle's founding ideals, plunging the country into crisis. However,
the SPLM has denied these claims.
The SPLM Secretary General emphasized that political
competition should be based on ideas, not division or conflict.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has
struggled to fulfill its democratic promise, with repeated failures to hold
national elections.