By Mamer Abraham
Upper Nile State Deputy Governor, who is also the state SPLM party chairperson, Ayong Awer Lual has warned politicians in the state to refrain from division.
The deputy governor was officiating over the swearing-in ceremony of SPLM county chairpersons, and secretaries at Dr. John Garang Hall in Upper Nile State..
“Ayong asked politicians and state citizens to take what doesn’t divide us and leave what divide us,” partly read the statement from the office of the deputy governor.
He further ordered all the party county chairpersons and secretaries to keep check on the citizens as the party prepared for the forthcoming 2024 general elections.
Gabriel Tut Gatchai, the SPLM State Secretary appreciated Ayong for the synergy since he assumed office.
The party leaders, who were sworn-in, included SPLM Chairperson for Ulang County, Akoka county secretary, Naser county secretary, and Malakal City Council Secretary.
SPLM members in Upper Nile region are set to endorse President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the first week of December 2024 in preparation for general elections.
The endorsement rally will bring together party members from all the three states of Upper Nile Region, namely; Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei States. Two administrative areas; Ruweng and Greater Pibor Administrative Areas are also inclusive.
A similar endorsement rally will also take place in Equatoria Region, which has already been preceded with President Salva Kiir’s endorsement cup.
However, amidst the mass SPLM preparations, opposition parties are reluctant to carry rallies or name their flag bearers citing shrinking political and civic space.
Last week, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the Head of UNMISS, Nicolas Haysom stated that there was no progress made as the country inches towards general elections.
He urged the principals to the revitalized peace agreement to shade white the grey areas before the time of elections approaches.
However, the national minister for information, Michael Makuei Lueth deferred with UMISS boss assisting that the country was ready for elections.
“Well, that is their UNMISS) own evaluation of the situation. But for us, as the government of South Sudan, we believe that we are going in the right direction and we are going for elections,” said Makuei.
Makuei maintained that the remaining months were adequate for the pending tasks to be completed and elections conducted.