Bakosoro backs SPLM rejuvenation, urges aspirants to respect party rules ahead of Tombura primaries
The former Presidential Affairs Minister says initiative provides an opportunity for SPLM members to renew their structures, identify representatives and reposition the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections
By Emmanuel Mandella
Hon. Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro. [Photo: Courtesy]
Former Western Equatoria Governor and ex-Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hon. Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, has welcomed President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s initiative to rejuvenate the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the grassroots, and urged party members seeking elective positions to respect internal rules and accept the outcome of its congresses and primary elections.
Bakosoro, who is also a member of the SPLM Political Bureau, made the remarks on Wednesday upon his arrival at Yambio Airstrip from Juba, ahead of his planned journey to Tombura County.
He is expected to participate in the SPLM internal electoral process for the geographical constituency No 8 representing Greater Tombura, comprising Tombura and Nagero counties, as aspirants prepare to contest for a seat in the National Legislative Assembly.
Speaking to The City Review, Bakosoro described the ongoing SPLM rejuvenation exercise as an internal party arrangement rather than a general election, saying it is intended to give members an opportunity to reorganize their political structures and strengthen the movement a head of the December general election.
He said the initiative by the President provides an opportunity for SPLM members at different levels to renew their structures, identify representatives and reposition the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
“I welcome the move taken by the President of the Republic to rejuvenate the SPLM at all levels. This is an internal arrangement of the party. It is not a general election, but a process that allows citizens who are members of the party to reorganize their movement and move it forward,” Bakosoro said.
He emphasized that all aspirants participating in the process must respect the SPLM constitution, regulations and established party structures, warning against allowing personal political ambitions to undermine the unity of the movement.
According to Bakosoro, candidates should demonstrate political maturity by accepting both victory and defeat, maintaining their commitment to the party regardless of the outcome.
He urged those who emerge victorious to proceed with their political responsibilities while encouraging unsuccessful candidates to accept the results and support the eventual nominees.
“All candidates should respect the rules and structures of the SPLM. If you win, you proceed, and if you lose, you should also accept the defeat and support the party to move forward,” he stated.
Bakosoro’s remarks come amid growing political interest in the SPLM primary elections for the geographical constituency of Greater Tombura, where several aspirants are seeking the opportunity to represent the area in the National Legislative Assembly.
He acknowledged the presence of multiple candidates competing for the parliamentary position but maintained that their political differences should not divide party members or weaken the movement.
The former governor said he would respect the outcome of the party congress and primary elections in the constituency, regardless of who emerges as the successful candidate.
He called on SPLM members, supporters and aspirants in Tombura and Nagero counties to maintain peace, cooperation and mutual respect throughout the process.
Bakosoro stressed that the rejuvenation exercise should be guided by party regulations rather than individual interests, noting that the ultimate responsibility of every member is to strengthen the SPLM.
His appeal adds to calls from other party leaders for a peaceful and transparent internal electoral process as the movement reorganizes its structures across Western Equatoria’s ten counties.
Bakosoro’s political manoveurs
Bakosoro is a prominent political figure in Western Equatoria State, having served as the state’s first elected governor following the 2010 general elections.
He made political history by winning the governorship as an independent candidate, defeating the SPLM candidate in an election that marked a significant moment in the state’s political landscape.
Following the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, Bakosoro returned to the SPLM and subsequently became a member of the party’s Political Bureau.
He was later appointed to the national government as Minister of Presidential Affairs, a position in which he oversaw matters relating to the Office of the President.
His return to Western Equatoria for the ongoing SPLM activities comes at a time when the party is undertaking internal restructuring and preparing to select candidates for the December 22, 2026, general elections.
The SPLM rejuvenation exercise is expected to strengthen party structures from the Boma, Payam and County levels to the State and National Convention, while its primary elections will determine candidates to represent the movement in the forthcoming parliamentary contests.