Two Ex-Central Equatoria Governors Enter SPLM Gubernatorial Primaries

By Jenifer James

Former Central Equatoria State governors, Emmanuel Adil Anthony and Gen. Rabi Mujung, alongside other aspirants, have entered the race for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) gubernatorial nomination ahead of South Sudan’s December 2026 elections.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the former governor of central equatoria state, Emmanuel Adil Anthony said the decision followed consultations with SPLM members across the state’s six counties and administrative areas.

“After lengthy consultations and discussions, we as members of the SPLM in all our counties, the six counties and Wonduruba and the administrative payams, have listened to your call,” Adil said.

“We have accepted your call to be the SPLM nominee for the general election for the position of chairmanship and governor of Central Equatoria State,” he added.

Adil said he would compete alongside other SPLM members who have already picked up nomination forms, calling on party members to remain disciplined and peaceful during the primary process.

“I want to call upon all our members to maintain discipline, remain calm. Let us compete with ideas. Definitely, victory is going to be settled,” he said.

He also called for unity among SPLM members as the party prepares for primaries.

 “We are going to sit down with the whole membership and develop a clear, robust programme of the SPLM, which will come from the SPLM manifesto that will deliver the people of Central Equatoria State to unity, peace and prosperity,” Adil said.

Adil’s declaration comes as the SPLM receives nominations from members seeking the party’s endorsement to contest various elective positions in the forthcoming elections.

For his part, former Central Equatoria State Governor Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel also submitted his nomination papers to contest the SPLM primary for the party’s ticket to run for governor.

Mujung said he registered with the SPLM on Tuesday using Form 3, formally declaring his candidacy in the party’s internal primary process.

“Eventually, the SPLM, my political party, announced that those interested should pick up the application forms. So, on Tuesday, I went to the SPLM Secretariat and registered specifically using Form 3 as a candidate for the party’s internal primary stage,” he said.

He said the winner of the party’s primary would represent the SPLM as its candidate for the Central Equatoria governorship in the forthcoming elections.

“What you saw on television is true. Throughout this period, people from our community, both from within the state and from outside, have been urging me to run in the election. I listened to them and acknowledged their desire for me to stand,” Mujung said.

 Mujung called on his supporters in Central Equatoria to mobilize at the grassroots level and participate in the electoral process.

“I will ask the people of Central Equatoria State to give me the opportunity to serve, so that I may assist the people of South Sudan,” he said.

Mujung, who previously served as governor of Central Equatoria State, said he would outline his vision and priorities for the state in due course.