The move was announced in an order issued on Monday by SPLM-IO chairman and commander-in-chief Riek Machar Teny, who also serves as the country’s first vice president.
“State Caucuses are hereby established at National Level and shall be composed of members of County Caucuses from each State in Juba,” Machar stated in the directive obtained by Sudans Post on Tuesday.
“The State Caucus Focal Point may be a member of National Legislature, Council of Ministers or Political Bureau hailing from that State. In absence of the State Focal Point, the most senior member of the State Caucus shall act,” he added.
According to the order, county caucuses will consist of registered members from each county and will be led by representatives from the national legislature.
Each county caucus will also have a secretariat that includes a rapporteur and chairpersons for women, youth, and students. Additionally, a 35-member council will be formed to ensure representation from all payams.
“County Caucuses are hereby established at National Level and shall be composed of registered members from each county. The County Caucus Focal Point shall be a member of National Legislature. In absence of the County Focal Point, the most senior member of the County Caucus shall act,” Machar emphasized.
The newly formed caucuses are tasked with mobilizing and registering new party members, engaging members in SPLM-IO activities, disseminating party information, maintaining connections with members’ home states and counties, and supporting party initiatives at both state and county levels.
The order mandates that county caucuses hold monthly meetings, while state caucuses will convene quarterly. County caucuses are required to submit monthly reports to the national secretariat, and state caucuses will report quarterly.
The SPLM-IO views the establishment of these structures as a significant step toward enhancing organizational capacity and reinforcing ties between the party leadership and its grassroots supporters ahead of the 2026 elections.