Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG) says the party is more united than ever as the country gears toward the anticipated 2023 election. The party has accused some political parties of spreading rumours of power wrangle within the party to derail the upcoming polls.
The SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilisation, Kuol Atem Bol, told the media on Tuesday that the false information being spread by some political parties aims at causing division among the SPLM leaders ahead of the 2023 elections.
“I want to refute some false information circulating on the social media that party’s leaders have [been] divided over the position of the chairperson,” said Mr Atem. “I want to assure the general public, our members and supporters that the information is not true.”
Mr Atem added: “When they see that the election is approaching, [some people] now try to create false information to cause disunity among SPLM leaders. These are rumours by some political parties to prevent elections, but we from the SPLM [we] are ready to give the chance to the people to choose someone they want to rule. “
The official reiterated his party’s readiness to go for the nationwide poll to bring an end to the multiparty ruling system and effect accountability because it was difficult to account for someone under the current power-sharing governance.
“The election is the right of the citizens. I condemn that, and I want to tell our people that there is nothing of the sort at the party’s headquarters. Let them not accept any social information because all the information is void of truth.” Mr Atem added.
Mr Atem however, did not point a finger at a particular party that claimed that SPLM party leaders were fighting over the party’s leadership positions.
Election discourse
Though some parties, particularly the main armed opposition to the resurrected agreement, have expressed reservations about holding elections at the end of the transition period, the ruling coalition has reiterated its willingness to hold elections.
Addressing party members in Western Equatoria recently, the Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr James Wani Igga, who doubles as the party’s deputy chairperson, called on SPLM members to intensify efforts, and unite the people to retain power in the 2023 elections.
Dr Igga, who feels optimistic about the SPLM’s victory in the upcoming elections, also called on the party’s leaders and members to work towards unity and equitable distribution of services to the citizens.
“We need unity. Let us forget tribalism. If we do not bury tribalism, it will bury us. We must bury it before it buries us all over South Sudan,” Dr Igga reiterated “Elections are coming up next year and the first goal of any political party is to maintain power, and I want to assure you that on a level playing field, in a fair game or elections, we, the SPLM, will capture this power, but let us not take it for granted.” However, critical tasks, including security arrangements, political parties’ law, and elections acts, were outstanding.
The R-JMEC Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai recently noted: “Looking ahead, particularly in view of the holding of elections at the end of the Transitional Period, it is imperative that the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) complete the Transitional Security Arrangements (TSAs), continue to lay the foundation for improved transparency and accountability, enact all pending legislation in support of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, and prioritise other activities in the Agreement necessary for the holding of free and fair elections.”
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