By William Madouk
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party lays final strategies for landslide victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
As about 15 months only remaining, SPLM party boasts of its readiness against other political parties’ reluctance and foul cry on the anticipated polls.
On Wednesday, Salva Kiir’s party cadres took oath as advisors, secretaries, and deputy secretaries at SPLM House in Juba, an event that was also used to fix last touches.
Mr. Bernard Passiria, was sworn in as a member of the Liberation Council. The advisors are John Dabby, for Political Affairs and George Andrea Duma, advisor on Popular and Syndicated Organizations.
Mr. Lual Achuek Deng was confirmed as the advisor on economy, Ajak Wong Atat as the advisor on investment, and Gwach Makwach as the advisor on administration.
For national secretaries, Santo Malek Anai is the Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization; Jacinto Pacon Geni is the Secretary for Administration and Finance; and Paul McQueen Young is the Secretary for External Affairs.
Mr. Daniel Badawo was installed as the Secretary for Culture, Information, and Communication; Jacqueline Nyibol was the Secretary for Economic Affairs; John Orem was confirmed as the Secretary for Research and Training, just to mention a few.
Appointees affirmed that they would abide by, respect, and uphold the vision, mission, and objectives of the SPLM as per the constitution and other basic documents, and they would perform their functions and duties.
Addressing the gathering, President Salva Kiir issued a stern warning to his political rivals not to take up arms when they are defeated in the polls slated for December 2024.
“We are going for elections, and you should prepare yourselves. If we go for elections and you fail, do not look back,” Kiir said.
“There is nothing left behind unless you want to run to the bush, and you have to look for the person who will go with you to the bush. Nobody will follow you to the bush again,” he added.
For his part, Peter Lam Both, the SPLM party secretary general, underscored that no political party has the right to frustrate the programmed elections in December 2024.
“But they have no right to stop and suspend an election. We believe in the SPLM, and in the next two to three months, we will fully implement the prerequisites for the conduct of elections,” he continued.
SPLM advisor on economy, Lual Achuek, also urged other political parties to voluntarily contest the upcoming 2024 election or pull out if they felt daunted.
“May I also remind our people that contesting for the election is voluntary? Those who want to compete are free. Those who don’t want to, they are also free not to,” Achuek said.
He claimed that in 100 days they would prepare a document called the SPLM Strategic Policy Framework for the second decade of independence.
The document will provide manifestos for the president and other members who are contesting for governance.
Advisors and the secretary general will review the document before approval by the political bureau.
Achuek also cited that SPLM party is working on a retirement package for cadres who participated in the liberation struggle.
However, on the final day of the economic conference that ended last week, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar expressed reservations over the December 2024 elections.
Dr. Machar cautioned that any attempt to hold an election under the current situation would lead to uncertainties.
He said security should be handled first before the country proceeds with the election.