Kiir’s party using ‘coercive methods and misleading incentives’ to recruit – Machar aide

JUBA – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG) is employing “coercive methods and misleading incentives” to recruit, an aide of First Vice President and leader of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO Riek Machar said.

Puok Both Baluang, the acting press secretary for First Vice President Machar, expressed in a brief social media statement that the recruitment and mobilization of new members into the party should be driven by genuine interest, not coercive tactics.

“Recruiting and mobilizing new members for a political party should stem from a genuine interest in the party’s values and principles, rather than from coercive methods or misleading incentives,” Baluang said.

“Engaging individuals on the streets or enticing community members and NGO workers with false promises of lavish accommodations and positions undermines the integrity of the political party,” he said.

Baluang warned that portraying recruits as defectors from other parties would ultimately harm the SPLM’s credibility.

“Furthermore, portraying these recruits as defectors from another party distorts the truth and manipulates public perception,” he said.

“While strategies like claiming inflated membership numbers may yield short-term benefits and publicity, they are ultimately unsustainable and dishonest. The truth will emerge, leading to disillusionment and a loss of credibility in the long run.”

This statement comes after the SPLM party announced that thousands of youths from the Machar-led SPLM-IO had declared their defection to the ruling party, including South Sudan’s tallest man, Malith Dak.