SPLM Maintains Election Timetable
Speaking after a high-level meeting in Juba, SPLM Secretary-General Dr. Akol Paul Kordit confirmed that the ruling movement will contest nationwide polls scheduled for December 2026, the final milestone of the extended transition.
He framed the timetable as a direct response to President Salva Kiir’s directive that “the SPLM will not go in reverse,” underscoring the party’s intent to keep faith with the Revitalized Peace Agreement roadmap.
Reinvigorating Liberation Ideals
Officials said the coming campaign will emphasise the core ideals of the liberation struggle, a narrative still resonant among rural voters. “We are going to reinforce the values that birthed this movement,” Dr. Akol told reporters, echoing veteran cadres present at the briefing.
Grassroots Structures Under the Microscope
The Secretariat is updating branch registers, training polling agents and mapping logistics corridors to remote counties. Party deputies said a detailed audit of membership files will conclude early 2025, giving organisers a year to plug operational gaps before nomination day.
Observers note that voter education and civic space remain challenges, yet the SPLM insists its provincial offices will partner with civil society to deliver non-partisan awareness drives once the National Elections Commission announces official regulations.
Peace Deal Benchmarks Guide Strategy
Under the Revitalized Agreement, security sector reform and a permanent constitution must precede polling day. Dr. Akol said the Secretariat will “walk in lockstep with government ministries” to ensure these benchmarks are achieved without derailing the electoral calendar.
Regional and Continental Eyes on Juba
Analysts across the Intergovernmental Authority on Development warn that a credible vote in South Sudan could redefine post-conflict transitions elsewhere. Diplomatic missions quietly welcome the SPLM’s early preparations, describing them as an encouraging signal to investors and neighbouring markets.
Voters Brace for a Formative Moment
For many first-time voters, the 2026 ballot will be their inaugural interaction with competitive politics. Whether the SPLM’s internal overhaul translates into broad-based participation may shape South Sudan’s democratic trajectory for decades, observers argue.