By Chol D. Johnson
The Chairperson of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement(SPLM) in Central Equatoria State (CES), Emmanuel Adil Anthony has urged party members to embrace unity of purpose to strengthen the ruling party ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a welcoming ceremony at the CES SPLM House in Juba on Tuesday, Adil emphasized that cohesion not internal divisions would determine the party’s electoral success.
He was sworn in earlier on Tuesday at the SPLM National Secretariat in Juba under the theme, “A New Chapter for Unity, Peace, and Development in Central Equatoria State.”
“We must see SPLM members united for a common purpose to win the 2026 elections, rather than allowing divisions and separation to weaken us,” Adil said.
The Governor thanked President Salva Kiir Mayardit for reinstating him to the position and pledged to work closely with all party members.
“We are ready at any time to work for the SPLM and for the people of South Sudan,” he added.
Adil outlined key strategic priorities, noting that before leaving office previously, the party had focused on completing structures from the state to payam levels, recruiting members, mobilizing citizens to join the party, and securing financial resources to support party activities.
He said the agenda has now been reordered, placing mass mobilization as the top priority, followed by membership recruitment, training particularly of women and resource mobilization.
“Without unity of purpose, the party cannot achieve its goals or strengthen itself for the elections,” Adil stressed.
He also urged SPLM members to rally behind President Kiir as the party’s endorsed candidate for the 2026 elections, warning that factionalism, tribalism, hate speech, and power struggles had previously undermined the party.
To address indiscipline, Adil announced plans to establish a security department at the CES SPLM House to monitor the conduct of party members across the state, including online behavior.
“All members, including myself, will be subject to discipline if they misbehave. Indiscipline is a major problem we will not tolerate,” he said, adding that hate speech on social media platforms such as Facebook would also be addressed.
CES SPLM Secretary Anna Koku Samson echoed the call for unity and urged party leaders to communicate early with state structures to ensure preparedness for 2026.
She emphasized the need for checks and balances to assess the functionality of party structures at county and payam levels.
“We want to review whether structures in the counties and payams are functioning effectively,” Koku said.
Former CES Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel underscored the importance of strengthening the party’s membership base, calling on members to cooperate and remain united in the face of political competition.
Mujung also asked for forgiveness from party members and citizens for any wrongdoing during his tenure.
“I ask for forgiveness if I hurt anyone during my time in office as governor,” he said.