By William Madouk
The ruling party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has turned to the Ruweng Administrative Area for grassroots mobilization and a hunt for votes ahead upcoming 206 general elections.
On Friday, the SPLM Second Deputy, Daniel Awet Akot, presided over a consultative gathering of sons and daughters from the Ruweng administrative area at the SPLM House.
Cde Bol Makueng Yol, SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs, Mobilization, and Organization, informed the media that the conference would mobilize grassroots support for SPLM policies and leadership.
“The purpose of the meeting was a consultative one, bringing about mobilization of the grassroots to support the SPLM policies and leadership,” he said.
He further disclosed that all Ruweng leaders at all governmental levels were summoned to the conference by Cde Awet.
“They comprise the members of the Political Bureau, members of National Liberation Council, Executive Caucuses, Parliamentary Caucus, also members of the Red Army and members of the SPLM Youth League and Women League. These people are leaders from the Ruwang area,” he continued.
Bol Makueng said that as the discussion went, all attendees were pleased with the SPLM and National Secretariat’s efforts to involve the grassroots in policymaking.
“We appreciate very much, the leadership that has always been a caring one, presided over by General Salva Kiir Mayardit, who recently appointed a new (chief) administrator for the area,” he applauded.
“Because Ruweng for the last few years is not the same. There are always developmental projects taking place. Overall, it covers the unity of the people, development in the area, and all the relationship between the people of Ruweng area and the neighboring states,” he noted.
A well-placed SPLM source said the program matches with SPLM’s broader mission to strengthen political cohesion, increase grassroots mobilization, and involve citizens’ voices in all administrative areas in decision-making.
He noted that the gathering produced an open and constructive discourse aimed at strengthening party unity, promoting long-term peace, and tackling pressing issues and challenges impacting RAA residents.
In September 2024, South Sudan’s government announced that it is postponing the long-delayed general elections until December 2026, citing a lack of preparedness.
This is the second time the country, which gained independence in 2011, is postponing elections and extending a transitional period that started in February 2020.
Two days ago, the Ministry of Information, Technology, and Postal Service approved a comprehensive information and communication strategy aimed at guiding public messaging and civic engagement ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Undersecretary, Yath Awan cited that the document was developed over the past month and is now awaiting validation before being submitted to the Council of Ministers for formal endorsement and funding.
He added that the strategy outlines how the ministry intends to manage media and communication activities leading up to the elections to ensure a smooth and credible process.