By Lodu William Odiya
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has declared its readiness for the upcoming general elections, saying it is waiting for the National Elections Commission to release the electoral calendar and timetable.
Ambassador John Andruga Duku, the SPLM National Secretariat Secretary for Political Affairs, Mobilisation and Organisation, said the ruling party is preparing its members for the electoral process and has already launched internal registration.
“We are ready for the upcoming election, waiting for the electoral calendar or timetable going to be released by the Electoral Commission,” Andruga said during a press conference.
He said SPLM members were already registering as the party prepares for the electoral process while also awaiting the official commencement of voter registration by the Electoral Commission.
Andruga called on Members of Parliament to expedite amendments required to pave the way for the elections, arguing that South Sudanese deserve an opportunity to choose leaders of their choice.
“People of South Sudan need election because the current government’s time is coming to an end in December 2026,” he said.
He noted that since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has never conducted a national election, adding that the SPLM believes citizens must be given the democratic right to elect their leaders.
“Since independence in 2011, the country has never had an election, and therefore, we as SPLM feel that the people of South Sudan must have the right to choose a leader of their choice,” Andruga said.
The SPLM official said his party welcomes democratic opinions and disagreements from other political parties but warned against what he described as the distortion of the party’s positions and character assassination for political purposes.
“We believe in civic and political space where political parties will express their opinions,” he said. “We welcome other political parties to express their opinion but not to advance their political agenda through character assassination.”
Andruga urged political parties intending to contest the elections to focus on developing clear manifestos and presenting their policies to the people rather than relying on propaganda and negative campaigns against opponents.
He said the SPLM has an established political structure and remains committed to peaceful democratic competition.
“We, SPLM, do not aspire to violence. We want to give democracy to our people across the country,” he said, dismissing predictions that the party would resort to violence during the electoral process as “wishful thinking.”
The SPLM political affairs secretary also called on armed groups and individuals still carrying weapons to lay down their guns and resolve political differences through dialogue.
“Dialogue is the only solution forward. We have seen the killing. We have seen the suffering of our people. People of South Sudan don’t need more killing,” he said.
Andruga insisted that elections must be held to allow the population to decide who should lead the country.
“If SPLM loses the election, we will honourably accept the outcome. We want also other political parties to do the same,” he said.
He added that the SPLM would operate in accordance with the directives and regulations of the Electoral Commission and would formally launch its election campaign once the official campaign period is declared.
“At the time when the Electoral Commission declares the campaign to start, we will meet on the campaign ground. We will roll out a manifesto,” Andruga said.
The SPLM’s remarks come as South Sudan moves closer to the end of the transitional period in December 2026, with political parties and institutions increasingly calling for the necessary preparations to ensure the country holds its first elections since independence.