By Yiep Joseph
South Sudan’s President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged James Wani Igga and other top party officials to continue with mobilization as elections approach.
The president made the remarks during the swearing-in of Dr. James Wani Igga, the first Deputy Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and his comrade, Akol Paul Kordit, the party’s secretary general.
Both Wani and Paul have been prominent SPLM leaders, as they have served several political positions in the government as well as in the party.
The Tuesday event conducted at the SPLM house attracted a massive turnout from several SPLM members from different institutions with hope to witness the swearing in.
According to the statement from the presidential press unit, the head of state, who is also the SPLM chairperson, tasked the leaders to focus on unity and mobilization ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kiir reiterated that party leaders remain responsible for bringing SPLM members together.
He urged the leaders to double mobilization efforts in order to secure another vote during the upcoming elections.
SPLM top leadership headed by President Salva Kiir pose for a group photo during the swearing ceremony of First Deputy and Secretary General (in the photo) /courtesy
“President Kiir urged the SPLM leadership to secure another popular mandate from the people of South Sudan as it did in the 2010 general elections, urging them to revitalize the party and strengthen its grassroots connections through the equitable provision of basic services” the statement partly read.
With hope to win more votes from the grassroots, the president, who is also a party chairperson, tasked the newly appointed leaders to strengthen mobilization initiatives.
“The president strongly urged party members to mobilize their supporters in the constituencies and ensure that the SPLM remains a party for the people and will accomplish its historic objectives,” he said.
According to the statement, the senior SPLM party leaders expressed that the event signalled a renewed commitment by the leadership to rejuvenate the party’s political base, foster inclusivity, and guarantee that SPLM retains its central position in shaping South Sudan’s democratic trajectory.
On Monday, Kiir reinstated Dr. James Wani Igga as vice president in charge of the Economic Cluster and first deputy chairperson of SPLM.
The move is part of a sweeping political reshuffle that replaced four national ministers and senior government officials.
South Sudan has five vice presidents under a 2018 peace deal that ended the country’s civil war.
Igga, a veteran politician and general, was dismissed in February after serving as vice president since 2013.