SPLM SG Urges Primary Losers to Concede, Back Winning Comrades

By Awan Achiek

Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), on Tuesday urged party members who lose internal primary elections to accept the results and support the successful candidates as a matter of party discipline.

Akol made this call during the opening of the ruling party’s primaries nomination at the SPLM plaza.

“When you lose primaries, as a matter of party discipline, we require you to concede and give a chance to that comrade,” Akol stated.

He emphasized that candidates participating in the primaries should respect the outcome and allow the winner to represent the SPLM in the next stage of the electoral process.

“Those who exercise discipline will not be forgotten by the SPLM, because we have a common understanding that there are many rooms in my father’s house, so there will be room for that comrade again.”

Akol articulated the SPLM’s vision to elect competent, popular, honest, and national candidates to serve the nation.

He urged aspirants to prepare to return to their respective states and participate in the party’s primary elections.

“We have 914 seats nationwide. We must win all of them. The 14 are executive seats. Number one is the president. We must win it. The other 10 are 10 governors who are executive,” he said.

“The other 3 executives are administrative areas, the chief administrators. We have to win them. So we have to compete. But if we are defeated in any position, we will also concede as a movement.”

Akol disclosed that the National Parliament has 204 seats, comprising 102 geographical constituencies, 71 reserved for women, and 31 allocated through the party-list system.

“So let us campaign, work together, and put forward the best comrades. That will rebuild South Sudan. The future of South Sudan depends on those that we are going to put as candidates to work with the president after the election,” he said.

“People that will rebuild our country. Rebuild our economy so that we have a strong economy that can build roads, schools, and hospitals. But also restore the mighty strength of the SPLA that is now in the SSPDF.”

Akol stressed the need for the SPLM to elect capable leaders who can rebuild the economy and strengthen the national army to protect the country and its people.

“So that in 3, 4, and 5 years, the SSPDF has jet fighters, air bases, the best tanks, and the best infantry. So that the land that has been grabbed is returned. You cannot get back your borders without the SSPDF,” he said.

“But also have a strong police force that will handle crime, and a strong judicial system that serves justice. All this will not happen without a strong economy.”