The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) held a political rally in the town of Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, on Thursday.
Thousands of party supporters gathered at the political rally held in New Site, south of Wau town, to show their solidarity.
Addressing the crowd, Viola Alexander Umili, the SPLM party’s state secretary-general, called upon party members to vote for the incumbent president, Salva Kiir, who is currently the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 presidential election.
“In this SPLM gathering, we are here today in New Site to express our readiness to participate in the 2024 elections. We urge the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal state and South Sudan as a whole to cast their votes for Salva Kiir Mayardit,” stated Alexzander.
She further emphasized the crucial role President Salva Kiir played in the nation’s establishment, stating, “Salva Kiir Mayardit has been instrumental in the birth of our beloved nation, the Republic of South Sudan. Without his leadership, we would not have achieved our independence.”
Alexander highlighted the SPLM party’s commitment to various programs aimed at the development, peace, and stability of South Sudan. “The SPLM party has been working tirelessly since 1983, not only to secure independence but also to bring prosperity to our people. Our mission has always been about building a united and peaceful South Sudan. For those who resorted to violence for personal gain, their intentions are clear for all to see,” she added.
The rally witnessed the presence of several other political parties, including the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA). Mohamed Ali Goni, the state minister for Youth and Culture, representing SSOA, urged the SPLM party to avoid actions that could tarnish its image. He acknowledged the historical significance of the SPLM and its contribution to South Sudan’s independence struggle.
“It is important to recognize the historical role of the SPLM in South Sudan’s fight for independence. Both the SPLM and SSOA are significant parties in our nation’s history. As we move towards democratic elections, we should focus on the issues that matter and engage in healthy competition,” Goni expressed.
Joseph Zackaria Garang, the state SPLM Chairperson, announced during the event that President Kiir would soon visit Wau. While Garang did not specify the exact date of the visit, he revealed that President Kiir had informed them about his upcoming trip during their recent meeting in Juba.
“On June 2nd, we were honoured to meet the President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairman of the SPLM party in Juba. He sends his greetings to all of you and has expressed his intention to visit Wau. The President will soon be arriving here in New Site. We are here today to inform you that General Salva Kiir Mayardit is coming to Wau,” Garang confirmed.
Garang encouraged the residents of New Site in Wau town to remain loyal to the SPLM party and not be swayed by other political affiliations. “As members of the SPLM, let us stand united and remain committed to our party. The red colour represents our unity. Let us steer clear of any attempts to lure us away from our principles,” he urged.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is led by the country’s president Salva Kiir.
President Salva Kiir, First Vice President and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, and other political figures signed a revitalized peace agreement in 2018 that ended five years of civil war.
The end of the transitional period was scheduled for 2022 but was pushed back to December 2024 due to the lack of progress on many provisions of the agreement. Elections are due to be held before the end of the transitional period.