Salva Kiir Mayardit, SPLM chairperson | Credit | Eye Radio

SPLM members in the Upper Nile region have adjourned to February 2024 the endorsement of President Salva Kiir as flagbearer in the upcoming general elections due to bad roads caused by torrential rains and flooding, organizers have said.

Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil, the head of Upper Nile High-Level Committee for the SPLM rally said, in a statement, the event has been adjourned due to pending preparations and existing flooding that affected roads network.

“We officially inform all SPLM members and the general public that the initial date of the endorsement rally in Malakal town is postponed from the first week of December to February 2024,” Monytuil said.

The Unity State governor said the postponement comes about “based on the ground assessment reports for the ongoing renovation works and considering the change of rainfall pattern and the existing flooding in the Upper Nile region this, which has affected roads network.”

The planned SPLM endorsement rallies in Upper Nile and Equatoria regions follow a similar endorsement event in Wau by SPLM members in the Bahr el Ghazal region, in July 2023.

Meanwhile, none of the other political parties within the 2018 peace deal, except People’s Liberty Party of Peter Mayen Majongdit, has announced a presidential contender.

This has prompted civil society groups and the International Community to call for a free civic and political space in the country.

But Information Minister Michael Makuei said on August 4, 2023, that parties to the 2018 peace agreement are free to conduct political rallies and campaigns ahead of the 2024 elections.