The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has commenced internal party congresses and primary elections across Rumbek East County, aimed at strengthening party structures and reorganizing its leadership ahead of the upcoming general elections. This process, set to begin on November 5, 2026, will cover all payams in the county. The organizing committee, led by Thondit Makur Makeny, arrived in the county on November 3 to oversee the electoral process.
According to Makeny, the team held consultations with existing SPLM structures at the boma, payam, and county levels to assess the party's status and prepare for the elections. They also met with the caretaker commissioner of Rumbek East County, Malual Anyuon, to brief him on their mission and planned electoral activities. The commissioner welcomed the delegation and pledged to provide security throughout the exercise.
The elections are scheduled to begin in Paloc Payam on November 5, followed by Akot Payam on November 6. The organizing team will then proceed to Ataiba and Thon-Aduel payams on November 7, Mathiang Kok on November 8, and Maleng-Agok and Pachong on November 9. Cuei-Cok Payam is listed as the final destination, although its election date was not specified.
After completing the payam-level elections, the team will move to the county headquarters to conduct the next phase of the party's internal electoral process. This will involve electing county SPLM officials and members who will represent Rumbek East in the National Assembly. The delegation will subsequently return to Rumbek to participate in the state-level congresses, where the SPLM state chairperson and state secretary are expected to be elected.
Makeny urged SPLM members, aspiring candidates, and other party stakeholders to return to their respective bomas and payams ahead of the elections to ensure their participation in the process. He encouraged all people of Rumbek East, party members, and aspirants to head back to their bomas and payams immediately so that they can be reached effectively when the team arrives in their areas.
Makeny also called on candidates and their supporters to maintain peaceful relations, mutual respect, and political tolerance throughout the electoral process. He urged everyone to approach this political process as brothers and sisters, guided by party principles, and to respect one another and conduct themselves with dignity.
Nomination forms for aspirants seeking the position of SPLM county chairperson were available from November 4 to November 6 at the Thon-Aduel Payam headquarters. Candidates seeking the position will be required to pay a nomination fee of two million South Sudanese pounds (SSP). The internal elections form part of the SPLM's broader efforts to reorganize its party structures, renew its leadership, and select representatives at various levels ahead of the anticipated general elections.
Key points
- The SPLM's internal elections in Rumbek East County aim to strengthen party structures and reorganize its leadership ahead of the upcoming general elections.
- The elections will cover all payams in the county, with the first phase beginning in Paloc Payam on November 5, 2026.
- The SPLM's organizing committee, led by Thondit Makur Makeny, will oversee the electoral process and ensure peaceful relations among candidates and their supporters.
