The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar on Thursday launched a three-day leadership workshop for its senior members.
The workshop, which commenced on Thursday and will run through Saturday, has brought together a gathering of distinguished attendees, including Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons, State Secretaries, and other senior officials from all ten states and three administrative areas. The primary aim of this training is to fortify the efficiency and effectiveness of the SPLM-IO’s state leadership in their political engagements.
Addressing the opening session of the training in Juba, Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM-IO party, Nathaniel Oyet Peri, stressed the importance of unity and adherence to democratic principles within the party.
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to bring about change in the country while respecting the will of the people. In his words, “SPLM-IO stands for democracy and unity. Before any elections can be conducted, several crucial steps, including the unification of forces and the establishment of an Electoral Commission, must be completed. If the readiness for the 2024 election is genuine, then the names of the electoral commission members should be announced.”
Oyet continued, “Now our question is whether the readiness for the 2024 election is genuine? If it is genuine, announce the names of the electoral commission members, announce the names of the constitution review commission members, announce the names of political party council members, provide adequate budgets for these institutions, work on security arrangements, deploy the graduated forces who are ready, and deploy them to safeguard the national election.”
He concluded with a warning, saying, “If this readiness is not genuine, the day for reckoning is approaching. The parties will have to decide whether to uphold the country’s stability, proceed with the election, or seek another extension, which would be meaningless.”
SPLM-IO Secretary General Regina Joseph Kaba shed light on the objectives of the training, stating that it is primarily targeted at state leadership. The program aims to equip attendees with in-depth knowledge of the party’s fundamental documents, including the manifesto, the constitution, code of conduct, and rules and regulations of the SPLM-IO political party.
Regina also stressed that the training would address the challenges facing the party at the state level and explore potential solutions. She urged participants to disseminate the knowledge acquired during the training to their respective states and grassroots levels.
The SPLM-IO, South Sudan’s principal opposition party, signed an agreement with the government in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s political landscape.
South Sudan was meant to conclude a transition period with elections in February 2023, but the transitional government failed to meet key provisions of the agreement, including drafting a constitution.
The parties to the agreement extended the transitional government’s time in office for another two years, meaning elections would be held in December 2024.