SPLM says it registered over 4.5 million citizens as members

JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit has said it has registered more than 4.5 million members during the ongoing mass mobilization campaign across the country.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Juba on Friday, Peter Lam Both, the SPLM Interim Secretary-General, said the more than 4.5 million members were registered within a period of five months.

“Since the launch of the SPLM renaissance mission in March this year which our competition took for elections campaign, we have registered more than 4.5 million people as members of the SPLM across the states,” Lam told reporters at Friday’s press conference in Juba.

Lam said the registration is ongoing and the number is expected to increase.

“We started the registration of the SPLM members in March this year and every state chairperson with their state secretarial are asked to start registration from Bomas, Payams, Counties, and State headquarters,” Lam said.

“They have reported to us what they have done and we went to the state to verify that and this is how we came with number 4.5 million.”

Lam claimed that the ruling was blocked by SPLA-IO commanders from carrying out mobilization in their IO-controlled areas.

“With exception of some counties where SPLM-IO commanders are not informed that we are at peace in Juba, they denied SPLM to organize in those areas even as we allow IO elements to enjoy in the areas which we control,” Lam claimed.

The SPLM launched the Renaissance initiative in March this year.

President Salva Kiir has been endorsed as the SPLM flag-bearer in Eastern Equatoria State, Jonglei State, Lakes State, Unity State’s and among others, as the ruling party pushed for the 2008 census to be used in anticipated 2023 elections.