South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Okech Francis
With election fever simmering in the country, one party that is garnering more support at the grassroots level is the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led by President Salva Kiir.
President Kiir has already made it clear he will be the SPLM flag bearer, with endorsements already undertaken at the grassroots.
People, including youths, neutrals as well as from the opposition are jumping ship in order to join the SPLM party, many voicing frustration in the parties they abandoned while noting that the SPLM carries better plans going forward for them.
In Nasir County of Upper Nile, an area seen as an opposition stronghold on paper, an entire community from the Wiw and Gurnyang Payams of the Gaguang Nuer pledged their support to Kiir, come December general elections.
“The paramount chiefs, head chiefs, sub chiefs, community elders, youth and women of Wiw, and Gurnyang Payams declared their joining SPLM under His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan and chairman of SPLM party,” a statement issued on Sunday said.
Former Minister of Petroleum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth facilitated the reception of the community in Malual Gahoth.
“The entire community was received by Hon. Buombal Nyak Gatluak, the Administrator of Malual Gahoth and the Command of SSPDF under Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol Giet,” the statement said.
The community appreciated Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth for facilitating their reception in Malual Gahoth.
The community leaders who joined the SPLM party included Paramount Chief Kong Tap Ulang Nyar, Head Chief Chuol Biel Gach Dol, Sub Chief Kong Jock, Sub Chief Nhial Puok Luak, and from the Payam Administration Office, Dobuol Tot Miyong, these from Kiw Payam while from Gurnyang Payam, they were Paramount Chief Gatbel Kong Lath, Head Chief Thorow Ruach Tut, Sub Chief Kayier Ruach Tut and Sub Chief Bol Gong Tang.
In Warrap State, over 150 people including those in State offices under Vice President Riek Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition pledged allegiance to Kiir’s party last week, voicing discontent with the SPLM-IO.
“We are leaders and what we want is for the government to fulfill the needs of our people, nothing more,” the group, led by about 11 politicians said in a statement.
“We are back to the Mother Party because the SPLM IO is not offering any solutions to the suffering South Sudanese people in our various constituencies in the State – instead Dr. Riek Machar is busy sharing lucrative government positions with his wife, family and bodyguards. We have left Dr. Riek in his positions sharing party,” they said.