(Mirayafm)
Independent candidates, contesting in April’s general elections and who are also members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) will meet with the SPLM Political Bureau on Saturday. The meeting called by the Political Bureau aims to dissuade them from contesting as independents. Angelina Teng, Minister for Energy, and Southern Sudan’s Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Alfred Ladu, both who are SPLM party members, had earlier declared their independent candidacy for the general elections. Other SPLM members will also convene in Juba to discuss their split from the party’s electoral strategy.
SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amoum, told Miraya FM that these independent candidates are still members of the SPLM, adding that it is premature to talk about their future in the SPLM. He added, several members had tried to quit the party after choosing to run as independent candidates but were told not to and asked to remain with the SPLM.
Amoum confirmed that the movement’s Political Bureau has agreed to coordinate with the Juba parties’ alliance for the elections, adding that the move aims to preserve the stability of Sudan. Elaborating, the Secretary General said that the SPLM hopes to complete Sudan's transition from a totalitarian regime to a system of government that is based on freedom. The SPLM, he concluded, can only achieve the goals of peace, prosperity and freedom through people who vote in April’s general elections.