The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Sunday held a public rally in Nyirol County, Jonglei State, to endorse him as the party’s flagbearer for polls later this year.
The grand ceremony at the county headquarters, Langkien town, was attended by SPLM Party officials from Juba and the county, and a large number of residents.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj shortly after the event, James Bol Makuey, the Nyirol County commissioner, said the event reiterated their readiness for the December elections.
“The rally is for the endorsement of President Kiir as the flagbearer of the SPLM Party in the upcoming elections. Thousands of citizens attended the event because they are happy with the services being provided by the SPLM,” he said. “SPLM brought telecommunication networks, we are coordinating with aid agencies to provide food to returnees, and now the survey of the town is going on.”
The county commissioner urged all political forces in the county to prepare for the elections, saying the polls are the only way for the country to transition to democracy.
For his part, Tolchiek John, the county’s SPLM Party youth league chairperson, lauded the huge turnout saying it is an indication that the county is peaceful. “The event was about the endorsement of President Kiir as the flag-bearer,” he said. “There was a huge turnout because the communities saw at the rally that there was peace for the first time since the civil war erupted. We are ready for the elections.”