JUBA — A former senior aide to South Sudan’s ex-first vice president Taban Deng Gai on Wednesday described the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as the “owners” of South Sudan, citing the party’s role in the country’s liberation struggle.
Speaking during an SPLM Student League rally at Upper Nile University in Juba on Wednesday, Agel Machar said the SPLM’s historical role in the liberation struggle gives its members a strong stake in the country’s political and national affairs.
“We are the owners of this country; we fought for this country. No region, no country, and no international institution gave us this country as a donation, whether it be the United Nations or the African Union, IGAD, the Troika, or America,” Machar said.
Machar said South Sudan was not a donation but was achieved through the sacrifice of 2.5 million lives.
“It is 2.5 million lives that were sacrificed under the leadership of the SPLM, which brought about this country. The decision of this country has to be in the hands of the SPLM leadership, and if the leadership says we are going for elections, we must go for elections.”
The former aide argued that the transitional government has constrained the SPLM’s ability to govern effectively and hindered its efforts to advance national development.
“We are going for elections. People are exhausted of this endless extension and transitional period that doesn’t bring peace but war,” he said.
Machar urged SPLM members to prepare for the December 2026 general elections.
“This state of no war and no peace prevents the SPLM and the leadership from developing the SPLM and the leadership to develop the country. So the leadership has decided that we are going for election,” he said.
“Comrade, prepare yourself for elections. It does not matter if time is short or long, or if it is extended or not. I want you as cadres of the party to prepare yourself for elections.”
He urged SPLM members to maintain discipline and unity as the country prepares for the December 2026 general elections.
“The party discipline is important in the period of elections. This is the year where you can ask, “Why did the secretary general say this or the deputy chair or chair say this?” he said.
“The party is being challenged, and the SPLM wants to go and explain to the people what they have done in this country.”
