Photo|Courtesy

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has endorsed President Salva Kiir as its sole presidential candidate for the planned 2026 elections.

The endorsement was announced by SPLM Secretary-General Dr. Akol Paul Kordit at the conclusion of the party’s five-day leadership summit.

Dr. Akol said the party had resolved to strengthen the implementation of resolutions adopted during the summit and reaffirmed its commitment to service delivery across the country.

He also acknowledged the economic hardships facing citizens and the effects of climate change.

Dr. Akol welcomed President Kiir’s call for dialogue and reconciliation, particularly with armed groups, saying the party remains committed to achieving lasting peace.

He added that the SPLM recognizes elections as the democratic right of South Sudanese to choose their leaders.

Announcing the resolutions, Dr. Akol said, “We unanimously nominate Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit as the party candidate in the upcoming Third National Convention of the SPLM.”

He added that the conference had also resolved to “endorse him as the sole presidential candidate for the SPLM in the 2026 elections.”

President Kiir was previously endorsed by the SPLM as its presidential candidate in May 2024 ahead of elections that were then scheduled for December 2024. However, those elections did not take place after the transitional government extended the transition period by two years, pushing the polls to December 2026.

The resolutions were adopted by SPLM chairpersons from the states and administrative areas who attended the five-day leadership summit.