At least five veteran politicians in South Sudan, including former ministers and party leaders, have lost in the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) primaries. The primaries are taking place ahead of the December 2026 polls. Those who lost include former Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin and former Petroleum and Public Service Minister Ezekiel F. Lol Gatkuoth.
The SPLM primaries are being held using a controversial system where party delegates queue behind their preferred candidate. This system, known as mlolongo, is being used alongside a secret ballot system. According to Ezekiah Gibson, Deputy Chair of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, the party is conducting its primaries in a different state each week. Gibson noted that some veterans, including Dr. Marial, have lost in the primaries.
Despite his loss, Ezekiel F. Lol Gatkuoth accepted the outcome and called on party members to uphold democracy, unity, and peaceful coexistence. However, he raised concerns about alleged misinformation and intimidation during the electoral process. Dr. Martha Nyanuer, the wife of Gatkuoth, also lost her women's league seat. Another veteran, former MP Kuony War Jock, lost to a young politician, Gatdet Bayak Riek.
The primaries have also seen the defeat of other notable figures, including former Upper Nile State Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot. Stephen Dhieu Dau won the primary with 120 votes, making him the new SPLM State Chairman and the party's flag bearer for the upcoming Upper Nile gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, former SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both claimed he was blocked from being named as a delegate to the SPLM National Convention by senior party officials.
The SPLM's primaries are taking place amid concerns over the credibility and stability of the planned December 22, 2026, general elections. According to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the elections face risks due to unresolved political disputes, incomplete security arrangements, and delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement. The commission noted that the lack of consensus among political parties over the legal and political framework for the elections threatens public confidence in the process.
The RJMEC report also highlighted that the non-commencement of voter registration has placed immense pressure on the remaining timeline for electoral activities. Although the National Elections Commission (NEC) chairperson, Gabriel Bol Deng, said registration was expected to begin in early November, it has not yet started. The commission has just over a month to register voters and complete other preparations before the scheduled poll.
The government has amended the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the transitional constitution, and the National Elections Act to facilitate elections without waiting for the completion of a permanent constitution and a national census. The changes have been accompanied by considerable political and institutional challenges. The launch of an inter-party dialogue on September 24 has been noted, but some political groups have not participated.
Key points
- Veteran politicians in South Sudan have lost primaries in the ruling SPLM ahead of December 2026 polls.
- The SPLM primaries face concerns over credibility and stability amid unresolved political disputes and incomplete security arrangements.
- The planned December 2026 elections in South Sudan face serious risks to their credibility.
