By Philip Buda Ladu
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has launched an investigation into the fire that gutted the party’s national secretariat, in Juba.
The incident that happened on Saturday afternoon, left a trail of destruction, prompting the party to opt for an immediate investigation.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing dark plumes of smoke billowing, at around 12:47 Pm from Ministries Complex area.
The blaze quickly spread through the secretariat, consuming valuable documents and damaging multiple offices, including the main conference hall.
Firefighters responded swiftly and managed to extinguish the flames, preventing further damage to surrounding buildings. However, the fire had already inflicted significant destruction within the SPLM secretariat.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, SPLM Deputy Secretary for Information, Jimmy Atilio confirmed the unfortunate incident.
“At around 12:47 this (Saturday) afternoon, a fire broke out at the SPLM National Secretariat” he stated.
Atilio further added that a committee would be formed under the directive of the party’s Secretary-General to “establish the root cause of the fire.”
SPLM press unit, later released a statement confirming the time of the fire and the directive to form a “Fact Finding Committee to investigate what triggers the fire outbreak and assess the damage caused to the building.”
Atilio, who is also SPLM’s Acting Secretary for Culture Information and Communication, reiterated the party’s commitment to uncovering the cause of the fire.
The SPLM 1st Deputy Chairman and Secretary General, Cde. Prof. James Wani Igga, also visited the scene, describing the incident as “unfortunate.”
Several senior SPLM leaders, including Cde. Daniel Awet Akot, Cde. Kuong Danhier (SPLM 1st Deputy SG), and Cde. Mary Apayi Ayiga (SPLM 2nd Deputy SG), were present at the scene to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, the cause of the fire still remains unknown.
The investigation committee is expected to begin its work promptly to determine the origin of the blaze and the full extent of the losses incurred by the SPLM party.
This incident raises concerns about the security and preservation of important party records and infrastructure.