The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) delegation from South Sudan was yesterday Monday, 7 October 2024 hosted by National Resistance Movement (NRM) officials in two separate meetings as part of their benchmarking visit aimed at enhancing the ruling party’s operations back home.
The delegation, headed by the party’s Secretary for External Relations, Comrade Bol Makueng Youl, was welcomed earlier this morning by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, at the Commission’s offices on Plot 13 Kyadondo Road, Nakasero.
Dr. Tanga, accompanied by the commission’s Vice Chairman Hon. Arimpa Kigyagi, Hon. Jane Alisemera, an EC Commissioner, and Counsel Enoch Barata, the Director for Legal Affairs, advised the SPLM leaders to establish a robust electoral commission to strengthen internal democracy by conducting transparent and fair primary elections.
“We discussed how the SPLM can learn from the NRM to organize and manage a large-scale election process involving over 5 million leaders, and the commission’s structural framework from the Secretariat to the grassroots level,” Tanga noted.
He emphasized that unfair primary elections lead to internal conflict within the party, which often escalates into violence during national elections, creating instability in the country.
Tanga highlighted that as a growing democracy, SPLM saw the need to consult the NRM on various matters to ensure the success of their electoral process.
Later, the delegation visited the Director of Communication, Hon. Emmanuel Dombo.
During the meeting, Dombo encouraged the SPLM leaders to prioritize effective communication with both party members and the general public to combat misinformation and propaganda.
“You need to build a strong relationship with mainstream media to ensure your views and opinions are accurately reported,” Dombo advised.
He also stressed the importance of social media in mobilizing support, particularly among elites and young people who rely on non-traditional information channels.
Comrade Bol Makueng praised the NRM for being a supportive neighbor and ally.
“We have gained valuable insights and continue to learn much from the NRM and the government regarding governance and public administration,” Bol said.
On Saturday, NRM Secretariat leaders finalized an agreement with SPLM officials to begin ideological training for cadres of South Sudan’s ruling party.
