The endorsement of the new Western Equatoria State Governor took place on Tuesday at the SPLM House in Juba, shortly after Governor Rimbasa was sworn in
By Emmanuel Mandella
The newly appointed Governor of Western Equatoria State, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, has been formally endorsed as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) State Chairperson, with senior party leaders calling on him to urgently unify the party and prioritize peacebuilding as he prepares to assume leadership in the state.
The endorsement took place on Tuesday at the SPLM House in Juba, shortly after Governor Rimbasa was sworn in, in a ceremony that attracted senior party officials, lawmakers, church leaders, youth and women representatives, and traditional authorities from Western Equatoria State.
Party leaders used the occasion to send a clear political message: peace, unity, and internal cohesion within the SPLM are critical to restoring stability and development in Western Equatoria, a state that has endured years of insecurity and political hurdles.
Speaking on behalf of the SPLM leadership, senior officials urged Governor Rimbasa to use his dual role as governor and state party chairperson to bridge divisions within the party, mobilize citizens across political and community lines, and work closely with local leaders to consolidate peace.
“Western Equatoria needs a unifying leader who can bring the party together and guide the state toward peace and stability,” a message from the party leadership emphasized. “The SPLM must speak with one voice if development is to be realized.”
The ceremony was attended by SPLM Second National Chairperson Mary Apai, SPLM National Secretary Akol Paul Koordit, members of the party secretariat, representatives of the SPLM Women’s League, Members of Parliament representing Western Equatoria at the national level, and former Governor Barrister James Al-Taib, among other key members and officials of the party.
The endorsement of Governor Rimbasa as SPLM State Chairperson places him at the center of both political organization and state governance, giving him a key platform to influence peacebuilding efforts in a region where political rivalry and insecurity have previously undermined service delivery and social cohesion.
In his acceptance remarks, Governor Rimbasa thanked the party leadership and the people of Western Equatoria for the confidence placed in him, pledging to lead with purpose and inclusivity.
“I thank the SPLM leadership and the people of Western Equatoria for this trust,” Rimbasa said. “My priority is peace, togetherness, and unity—within the party and across our communities. Without peace, there can be no development.”
He stressed that his leadership would focus on reconciling communities, strengthening party structures at the grassroots level, and mobilizing citizens into peaceful coexistence.
Emphasis on peacebuilding reflects the reality on the ground in Western Equatoria, where sporadic insecurity has disrupted farming, displaced civilians, and weakened local institutions. Unifying the ruling party at state level could help reduce political tensions and improve coordination between the political class, locals and the rivaling security actors.
A youth leader from Western Equatoria who attended the event said expectations are high as the governor prepares to return to the state.
“People want peace more than politics,” he said. “If the party is united and the governor listens to the people, Western Equatoria can recover.”
Church and traditional leaders present at the ceremony also echoed the call for unity, urging the new governor to work closely with faith-based and customary institutions to promote reconciliation and moral leadership.
Governor Rimbasa is expected to travel to Western Equatoria State in the coming days, with organizers indicating that arrangements are underway for his official reception. Party officials say further communication will be issued to guide supporters on planned activities ahead of his arrival.
As Western Equatoria looks toward a new political chapter, the dual endorsement of Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa as governor and SPLM state chairperson places him under pressure to translate party unity into tangible peace and stability—an outcome many residents say is long overdue.
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“People want peace more than politics. If the party is united and the governor listens to the people, Western Equatoria can recover,” a local youth leader.