The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) following a high-level meeting in Juba.

The consultative meeting, held at the SPLM Secretariat, brought together senior SPLM officials and a visiting NRM delegation, including Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Ronnie Balya, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, John Mulimba.

Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador Balya said the relationship between South Sudan and Uganda goes beyond diplomacy.

“The people of South Sudan and Uganda are one people, bound by blood, heritage, and a common history,” he said, adding that the two movements share roots in the liberation struggle.

He said the SPLM and NRM are “sister parties” within a broader Pan-African movement and called for stronger political, social, and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also focused on promoting a shared regional vision, with both sides linking peace and stability in South Sudan and Uganda to closer cooperation.

SPLM Secretary for External Affairs, Bol Makueng, said the party is shifting focus from past political struggles to addressing current challenges affecting citizens.

“We are moving from the political wars of the past to fighting poverty and illiteracy,” he said.

Makueng said the two parties plan to strengthen cooperation through infrastructure and development projects aimed at connecting the two countries economically and physically. He added that a delegation led by the SPLM Secretary General is expected to visit Kampala to advance the partnership.

SPLM Secretary General, Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, said the party’s priority is to invest in people and build their capacity.

“The core mission is to invest in the people and train them so they are emancipated from poverty, backwardness, and tribalism,” he said.

He added that once people become self-reliant, such challenges would gradually decline.

The meeting ended with the SPLM expressing appreciation to the visiting NRM delegation and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.