Adil Joins SPLM Race for Central Equatoria Governorship

JUBA — Former Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has joined the race for the state’s governorship after picking SPLM nomination form on Thursday, setting up an internal party contest ahead of the December elections

Adil collected his nomination form at the SPLM National Secretariat in Juba, joining former Central Equatoria governor Rabi Mujung and Clement Maring, who have also picked nomination forms to contest the party’s nomination for the state’s top seat.

Addressing the media after collecting the form, Adil said his decision followed consultations with party members across the state’s six counties and one administrative area.

“We have listened to your call and we are here declaring that, with their call, I have accepted their call to be the SPLM nominee for the general election for the position of Chairman of the Government of Central Equatoria State,” Adil said.

Adil urged SPLM members to maintain discipline during the internal contest, saying contenders should compete on the basis of ideas.

“I want to call upon all our members to maintain discipline, let us compete with ideas, definitely victory is going to be certain,” he said.

He also called on SPLM members across the state to work together in developing the party’s programme ahead of the elections.

“We are going to sit down with the whole membership and develop a clear, robust program of the SPLM which will come from the SPLM manifesto that will deliver the people of Central Equatoria State to unity, peace and prosperity,” Adil added.

The former governor who served twice also thanked SPLM supporters who gathered at the secretariat to demonstrate their support for the party and its leadership.

The nomination process comes as the SPLM prepares to select its candidates for the upcoming general elections, with several party members competing for the governorship of Central Equatoria.

So far, no candidate from an opposition party has publicly declared an intention to contest the governorship.

South Sudan is preparing to hold its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011. The polls are expected to be held in December 2026 after several extensions of the transitional period.