People's Liberal Party members endorse leader Peter Mayen Majongdit at a conference in Yambio. (Photo: Jackline Madrama).

Peter Mayen Majongdit, leader of the People’s Liberal Party (PLP) has been endorsed by his party as flagbearer in the December 2024 general elections.

Mayen, whose wife was recently appointed as Warrap State Deputy Governor, is also the leader of the opposition coalition Other Political Parties (OPP).

The OPP, a signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, comprises the Umbrella Group and the National Alliance of Political Parties.

Mayen’s PLP made the announcement at a three-day conference in Yambio city of Western Equatoria State on Wednesday.

The conference allegedly convened by participants from across the 10 states and administrative areas, also drafted resolutions that will guide the party in the 2024 elections.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference on Saturday, Mayen declared himself through an oath, as the man to challenge President Kiir in the country’s first-ever elections.

“I do hereby swear in front of almighty god that, I Peter Mayen Majongdit have accepted the endorsement of the Umbrella of the Other Political parties as the flagbearer for the collation of the political party to contest for the presidential 2024 elections 2024 so help me God,” he said.

The event was under the theme, “Umbrella Yambio Conference: Democratic Transformation in the 2024 General Elections in South Sudan.”

Peter Mayen is the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, who was fired by President Kiir in November 2022.

After his dismissal, he suddenly became a fierce government critic and claimed he was betrayed by the main political groups – the SPLM and SPLM-IO which currently form the transitional government.

Before his endorsement, he had declared his presidential ambition twice.