Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin has lost the SPLM primary election for Uror South Constituency No. 9 in Jonglei State, ending his bid for re-election to the National Legislative Assembly. Marial has represented the area since 2010. The election was held in Yuai after the electoral process was interrupted last Friday. Wany Lam Tuor won with 136 votes, while Marial came second with 92 votes, and Tang Chatiem received 87 votes.
Before voting began, the three candidates pledged allegiance to the SPLM under President Salva Kiir and reaffirmed their commitment to the party's manifesto. They undertook to accept the results and support whoever emerged victorious. Marial, seeking re-election, urged supporters to back him, citing his record of service to Uror County and South Sudan.
Wany Lam Tuor, a young official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told supporters he would be the voice of the people of Uror. He acknowledged South Sudan's economic difficulties and promised to avoid making unrealistic promises. Wany is aligned with a group of SPLM officials in Uror County associated with Rachael Nyadak Paul, who is seeking the governorship of Jonglei State.
Tang Chatiem, a former commissioner of Uror County, described the primary election as free and fair. Despite losing, he said he was satisfied with the outcome and would continue serving the people of Uror in other capacities. Josephine Napwon Cosmas, head of the SPLM high-level committee, urged the winner to represent all six payams of Uror South and work to unite the people of Uror County.
Napwon credited Marial with significant contributions to the development of the county and the country. She described him as an elder of Uror, South Sudan, and the SPLM, and said he would remain an important figure in the ruling party. Uror County is predominantly inhabited by the Lou Nuer community and is one of three counties in Jonglei State.
The primaries form part of the ruling SPLM's internal candidate-selection process ahead of its national convention and general elections scheduled for December 2026. Dr. Marial has held several senior government positions in Sudan and South Sudan, including minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, and presidential adviser and special envoy.
Marial's loss marks a significant development in the SPLM's candidate-selection process. He has represented Uror County in the National Legislative Assembly since 2010 and has been a senior member of the ruling SPLM. The outcome of the primary election will likely have implications for the party's national convention and general elections later this year.
Key points
- Dr. Barnaba Marial loses SPLM primary election to Wany Lam Tuor.
- The primary election was held in Yuai after the electoral process was interrupted last Friday.
- Marial has represented Uror County in the National Legislative Assembly since 2010.
