The Unity State government has denied allegations that caretaker Governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil is defying presidential directives and interfering with the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement's electoral process. According to the government, Manytuil remains committed to a peaceful political transition and an orderly electoral process in line with applicable laws, party regulations, and directives from the national leadership.
The dispute centres on accusations that Manytuil intends to seek the SPLM governorship nomination despite a presidential directive barring caretaker officials from contesting elections. The party's primary process in oil-producing Unity State has reportedly stalled after disagreements between the governor and the SPLM high-level committee overseeing the elections.
Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah said the allegations of intimidation, harassment, and deliberate obstruction of the electoral process are strongly disputed. She urged anyone claiming to have been intimidated to submit verifiable evidence through the appropriate channels, adding that political disagreements must not be converted into unsubstantiated accusations that risk undermining public confidence and stability.
Nyakenya's account contrasts with reports that the party primaries in the state have hit deadlock following disagreements over the governor's reported political ambitions and the application of presidential directives. David Yau Yau, a member of the SPLM high-level committee overseeing the party congress and primary process in Unity State, has reportedly travelled to Juba to consult national party leaders after nearly two weeks of deadlocked coordination.
The disagreements reportedly extended to county-level party positions, with Manytuil said to have instructed county commissioners appointed during his caretaker tenure to seek SPLM county chairperson positions. Committee officials reportedly insisted that such contests must comply with internal party regulations and presidential directives.
A security incident unfolded at Rubkona Airport this month, where gunfire erupted as soldiers arrested former Rubkona County commissioner Stephen Salam Maluit over his alleged support for a rival candidate seeking to replace Manytuil. The incident reportedly occurred when Salam went to the airport to welcome former national minister Michael Chiengjiek Gey, who had arrived in Bentiu from Juba.
The SPLM is currently engaged in its party primaries as part of the candidate selection process ahead of South Sudan's planned December 2026 general elections. Manytuil has been a prominent figure in Unity State politics since succeeding Taban Deng in 2013 and also chairs the SPLM in the state.
Key points
- The Unity State government has denied allegations of interference by caretaker Governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil in the SPLM electoral process.
- The party's primary process in Unity State has stalled due to disagreements between Manytuil and the SPLM high-level committee.
- The incident at Rubkona Airport highlights tensions surrounding the electoral process in Unity State.
