Nearly 4,000 Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) supporters from eight counties, the municipalities of Torit and Kapoeta, and the Nimule town council have arrived in Juba. They are joining the Equatoria region in endorsing President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the SPLM flag bearer for the upcoming elections.
The endorsement event is expected to take place in Juba today.
In December 2022, the Sudan People’s Liberation Council nominated President Kiir as the flag bearer for the 2024 presidential election.
“We came to express our gratitude to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the elections. We support him because he can lead South Sudan and address our needs for schools, hospitals, roads, and electricity,” said Jackline Kubba Alexander, an SPLM supporter from Torit Municipal Council.
She added, “We need water taps and the repatriation of our refugees. These are our priorities, and we stand with President Kiir 100%. He is our father, our president, and everything to us in South Sudan, especially the women of Eastern Equatoria.”
Elias Oboi Akilo, a chief in Himodonge Payam of Torit County and a member of the SPLM, explained that they have come to assess the progress of peace in the country.
“We want to understand how the peace process is progressing. We are here primarily for the elections. We are ready for the elections 100% because we are the foundation of the SPLM/SPLA. If Salva Kiir is re-elected as president, we want development in the country. We don’t want war again in South Sudan. That’s why we have come to Juba, to Central Equatoria, for this reason—we want peace,” said Chief Elias.
Ohuyoro Peter Onyang, an SPLM supporter from Ikotos County, confirmed their arrival, stating, “We came to endorse President Salva Kiir. We want him to fix our roads, improve schools, support teachers, and assist in agriculture to address economic issues. We need to produce our own goods instead of relying on imports.”
Emmanuel Justine Chunga, an SPLM-IG party-list lawmaker in the Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, emphasized the party’s readiness for the elections and the importance of providing services to citizens.
Lawmaker Chunga stated, “We want timely elections to ensure citizens’ freedom. If Kiir is re-elected, we want him to unite all 64 tribes in South Sudan. The issues of robberies and killings show we haven’t achieved true freedom. We want President Kiir to prioritize unity, especially in Eastern Equatoria, and set an example by extending peace to other states.”
Eastern Equatoria State SPLM Secretary for Information and Culture and spokesperson Silvio Ewak Siro stated, “The president needs to hear from grassroots people, and it has been his dream to speak directly to them. Our supporters have come wholeheartedly to endorse him, and everyone in Eastern Equatoria State is ready. Those who couldn’t come have sent their greetings and endorsement wishes. Our people will attend the ceremony on Saturday and then be transported back home.”