By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The leadership of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has directed Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, to mobilize and sensitize citizens regarding 2026 elections.
According to the statement issued by Governor’s Press unit on Monday, governor Lobong visited juba where he met SPLM Secretary General SPLM, Dr. Akol Paul Kordi.
During the meeting the two leaders discussed initiative and preparation for the forthcoming elections.
“During the meeting, the SPLM leadership revealed that party structures in Eastern Equatoria State are actively mobilizing and sensitizing citizens in preparation for the forthcoming national elections,” the statement read in part, adding that, “This ongoing process includes the issuance of SPLM membership cards aimed at strengthening party organization and enhancing grassroots participation”.
The Secretary General emphasized in a statement that the importance of the timely issuance of clear criteria and guidelines should guide party members and aspiring leaders. Noting that institutional clarity is essential as the party advances toward the electoral process.
According to the statement, the SPLM leadership further reiterated that the party would enter elections with a clear roadmap focused on reorganization and institutional strengthening ahead of the polls.
The leadership stated that the Planned activities should include the convening of a party convention, ensuring that all constitutional and functional documents are fully in place, and promoting continuous and active membership engagement as a key consideration in party processes.
The statement revealed that the SPLM would conduct intra-party elections to streamline leadership structures and eliminate unnecessary procedural bottlenecks, in line with democratic principles and internal party reforms.
“Additionally, it was disclosed that the SPLM will conduct intra-party elections to streamline leadership structures and eliminate unnecessary procedural bottlenecks, in line with democratic principles and internal party reforms,” it read in part.
The meeting reaffirmed the SPLM’s commitment to unity, internal reforms and electoral preparedness as South Sudan moves closer to the general elections.
However, since South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan, the long – anticipated first-ever general elections have been postponed for a fourth time, with the transition extended by two years, now scheduled for December 22nd, 2026 with a decision delay from September 2024 by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) to allow for the completion of critical, yet overdue, milestones in the 2018 peace agreement (R-ARCSS)