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Political analyst Boboya James Edimond has said President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s tour of the Bahr el Ghazal region reflects political positioning ahead of South Sudan’s scheduled December 2026 elections, rather than routine governance outreach.

President Kiir described the trip as a private visit. However, the tour was accompanied by senior government officials and drew large crowds in Wau and Kuajok.

Edimond said the nature of the visit and the level of participation raised political questions.

“First of all, it is not just a routine regional visit,” he said. “It fits into the broader pattern of political positioning and also consolidation.”

He said Bahr el Ghazal remains central to the ruling SPLM’s support base.

“Bahr el Ghazal is widely considered a key strong political base and a core of SPLM establishments that has supported him for years,” Ed-mond said.

He said the presence of senior officials and public turnout in the region reflected established political networks.

“If you see Paul Malong, you see the current Vice President Abdelbagi, you’ve seen Bol Mel before, you’ve seen many other strong leaders that come from the region,” he said.

Edmond said the scale of mobilization during the visit was politically significant.

“It signals reinforcement of loyalty networks. It signifies the mobilization of a safe electoral bloc. It also confirms that his core base is intact,” he said.

He compared Bahr el Ghazal with other regions, saying political conditions vary across the country.

“Upper Nile and Greater Equatoria have historically been more politically contested spaces,” Edmond said.

“Upper Nile is strongly associated with opposition constituencies, especially SPLM-IO influence. Equatoria often has a fragmented and sometimes resistant position towards central authority.”

He said the pattern of travel could reflect strategic political choices.

“The uneven pattern of visits can be interpreted less as neglect and more as prioritization of secure political territory, avoidance of costs in higher-friction areas, or a strategy of locking in support before expanding outreach,” he said.

Edimond said the timing of the visit, ahead of the 2026 elections, is also relevant.

“It signals early campaign groundwork, informal, not declared campaigning yet,” he said. “Testing public mood in key strongholds, demonstrating incumbent presence and control, reinforcing the narrative of peace, stability and continuity.”

He said the visit may also be linked to voter mobilization and local political alignment.

“It may lead to stronger SPLM coordination in Bahr el Ghazal, voter registration drives, local endorsement and traditional authority alignment,” he said.

Edimond added that such visits often coincide with administrative and development announcements.

“They often trigger promises of roads, salaries, local development projects, reinforcement of local officials and renewed attention to security concerns,” he said.

He said the contrast between regions could shape political perceptions.

“Even without visiting Upper Nile or Equatoria at the same intensity, the contrast itself sends a message that his base in Bahr el Ghazal is more stable and that other regions must come into alignment before elections,” he said.

Edimond said future visits to other parts of the country would clarify the broader election strategy.

“The bottom line is that this should be read as early election-season positioning, consolidating the president’s stronghold base,” he said.

South Sudan is scheduled to hold national elections in December 2026.