Kiir endorsed as flag bearer of SPLM in upcoming elections

JUBA – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party on Monday afternoon endorsed President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the flag bearer for the party in the upcoming elections slated for end of transitional period in December 2024.

This following a meeting of the SPLM National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting at Freedom Hall on Monday in which the party also dismissed First Vice President Machar and opposition leader Pagan Amum Okiech from the party.

Machar who was the first deputy chair prior to the 2013 SPLM split was replaced by Vice President James Wani Igga, while Daniel Awet Akot and Kuol Manyang Juuk, both of whom are senior members of the SPLM, were elected as deputies for the chairperson.

Speaking following a meeting of the NLC on Monday in Juba, Kuol Atem Bol, the SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs said President Kiir has been endorsed as the flag bearer for the ruling party in the next elections slated for end of the transitional period.

The senior SPLM official however said that there would be another meeting of the liberation council from national to bomas where Kiir will eventually be fully endorsed for president by the party.

“This is not the final stage because SPLM will conduct conferences from Boma, Payam, County, and to states. This is where the endorsement will come from,” he Atem noted.