SPLM: Bans Active Military Party Nominations for South Sudan Elections

• The ruling SPLM has prohibited active members of the armed forces and other organized security bodies from participating in its internal nomination process.
• This ban, announced by Secretary-General Akol Paul Kordit, applies to active-duty South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) personnel and other organized forces.
• Eligibility for nominations requires individuals to be officially decommissioned and released from active service.
• The policy is part of the SPLM's candidate selection ahead of South Sudan's planned December elections for legislative and executive positions.
• The party is conducting an extensive outreach program to distribute nomination forms across states and administrative areas, with the Juba submission deadline set for October 9.

The ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has implemented a significant new policy, prohibiting active members of the armed forces and other organized security bodies from participating in its internal nomination processes.

The ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has implemented a significant new policy, prohibiting active members of the armed forces and other organized security bodies from participating in its internal nomination processes. This directive, announced by SPLM Secretary-General Akol Paul Kordit on Thursday, directly impacts eligibility for the country's upcoming December elections. The move underscores an effort to delineate the roles of military personnel within the political landscape of South Sudan.

Specifically, the ban targets individuals currently serving in the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other organized forces. These active-duty members are now strictly barred from engaging in any party activities, including the crucial nomination phase for candidates. Kordit emphasized this prohibition during a press briefing in Juba, making it clear that continued active service precludes political involvement within the party's selection mechanisms. This SPLM bans active military party nominations South Sudan policy is a pivotal development for the electoral cycle.

Secretary-General Kordit clarified that eligibility for participation in the SPLM's nomination process is contingent upon an individual's official separation from active military or organized force service. Only those who have been formally decommissioned and released from their duties are deemed qualified to seek party nominations. This stipulation ensures that individuals are no longer active members of the SSPDF or other organized forces when they engage in political activities.

Kordit's statement highlighted that "people in active service in uniform" are explicitly excluded, reinforcing the party's stance on the SSPDF political activity ban. This measure appears designed to promote a clearer separation between the military and political spheres, potentially aiming to bolster perceptions of military neutrality ahead of the critical December polls. The Akol Paul Kordit SPLM statement provides definitive guidance on this matter.

This new prohibition forms part of the SPLM's broader internal process to select its candidates for both legislative and executive positions in the forthcoming elections. While submitting a nomination form marks an initial step in this journey, the party has made it clear that it does not guarantee a party ticket. The selection process involves further stages tailored to the specific office sought.

Aspirants vying for legislative roles are required to return to their respective constituencies to participate in party primaries. Conversely, those seeking executive positions, such as state governorships, must engage in party congresses to secure their nominations. This multi-tiered approach ensures a comprehensive internal vetting and selection mechanism for the South Sudan December elections nominations.

The nomination process in Juba was scheduled to conclude on Friday, October 9. Following this deadline, the SPLM plans to dispatch delegations to various states and administrative areas across the country starting next week. The purpose of these delegations is to facilitate the distribution of nomination forms to party members who were unable to submit them in the capital. This outreach aims to ensure broader participation in the South Sudan December elections nominations.

Further details regarding the party's internal electoral calendar are expected soon. Kordit indicated that dates for the upcoming congresses and primaries would be announced in the coming days, specifically mentioning regions such as Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei states, as well as the Greater Pibor and Ruweng administrative areas. Jimmy Atilio, the SPLM Secretary for Culture, Information and Communication, confirmed on Wednesday that party members residing outside Juba would not be compelled to travel to the capital to obtain their nomination forms. While the party has noted a "good number" of expressions of interest from members for various positions, the exact figure has not been publicly disclosed, reflecting the ongoing nature of the nomination drive and the party's efforts to manage military involvement political parties South Sudan through its new policy.

Lawyers advising political candidates or active military personnel in South Sudan must be aware of the SPLM's new prohibition on active armed forces members participating in party nominations, impacting eligibility for the upcoming December elections and potentially raising questions about military neutrality and electoral integrity.

Source: Reporting on developments in South Sudan.