AWEIL – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has launched a membership registration drive in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State as part of efforts to expand its grassroots support ahead of the upcoming December 2026 elections.
Speaking during a political rally held in Aweil town on Saturday, SPLM State Chairperson Charles Madut Akol urged party members and supporters to participate in the registration exercise to help strengthen the party’s membership base across the state.
“The object is one: to call on everyone to join forces and win the hearts of our people, and by so doing, the ruling party can win the electable posts that are being vied for during the tight races,” Madut said.
Madut, who is also the state governor, said the membership registration exercise was crucial, describing it as a foundation for rebuilding the party and restoring lost hope among its supporters.
He urged all party members to remain united and avoid defensive rhetoric as the elections approach, saying they should focus on winning the confidence and support of voters.
For his part, Kerbunino Thiep Tong, the SPLM State Secretary-General, urged party officials to work together and reconcile with members who may have fallen out with the party to foster unity in the ruling organization.
“This registration is not about division; it is about inclusion. Every South Sudanese who shares the vision of the SPLM is welcome to join the party,” Tong said.
“I urge you to visit the nearest registration center, obtain your membership card, and take up the responsibilities assigned to you as we work together to build this nation.”
Tong urged party members to uphold integrity and remain committed to the SPLM’s principles, warning them against acting in ways that undermine the party’s aims and objectives.
“Let’s conduct this exercise with transparency, integrity, and peaceful approaches. No elimination and no exclusion. Let’s make the SPLM a home of all of us.”
South Sudan is scheduled to hold its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011 on December 22, 2026.
The polls are expected to mark a major milestone for the world’s youngest nation, which has yet to conduct a nationwide democratic election since independence.
The elections were initially expected to take place in 2015 but were delayed following the outbreak of civil war in December 2013.
As the country prepares for the elections, political analysts remain uncertain about the credibility and readiness of the process.
They cited unresolved challenges, including the unification of forces, the constitution-making process, and the full implementation of security arrangements stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement.
