SPLM-IO launches recruitment drive in Western Bahr el Ghazal state

WAU – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has launched in Western Bahr el Ghazal state has begun a recruitment drive in the capital Wau and started registering new members into its rank and file.

Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial, the chairperson of the Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State launched the process during a rally in the capital Wau on Thursday.

“We have since been talking about the formation of the state liberation council and the secretariat so that we can start the recruitment program. Some people have been coming in and asking for registration but the office was still not formed but now it is time for us to start the recruitment program,” Cleto said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

She called on all SPLM-IO members within and outside the country to work together in processing identification cards.

“Our members who are outside or inside, this is a time for us to call upon you to work together to register new members and produce party IDs,” Cleto said.

Governor Cleto also took a swipe at the education system in the state, especially schools under the government, saying the quality of education is poor and that the policy of the SPLM-IO party is providing services to the entire population.

“The education system in the state is not strong, there are many schools but only the private schools are performing well,” she said.

For his part, the newly elected SPLM-IO state secretary, Paulino Adam Naro, urged all the party members in the state to work as a team.

“Our work will be fruitful if we work together. We need to change the system for the better. It is not about positions,” Naro said.

Reacting on the matter, the state SPLM-IG interim chairperson in Western Bahr el Ghazal, the deputy governor, Angelo Taban Biajo, questioned the recruitment drive by the SPLM-IO and said the outfit had not yet been registered as a party.

“For me as the SPLM Interim chairperson in Wau, the deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal state, what I know so far is that we are in a power-sharing partnership according to the peace agreement. I don’t know whether they are registered as a political party,” Biajo said.

Last Sunday, the SPLM-IO office in Western Bahr el Ghazal State elected 81 state liberation council members including 11 specialized committee members.