Sudan- the buildup to the SPLM National Convention

By James Gatdet Dak

May 1, 2008 (JUBA) — The Headquarters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Southern Sector in Juba has issued a press release that outlines the agenda and build-up to the SPLM National Convention due to begin on May 10, 2008 in Juba.

According to the information, the ongoing state congress formations shall establish State Liberation Councils (SLC) in each of the ten states of Southern Sudan and elect their executive offices.

Each state shall also elect sixty-eight (68) representatives to the National Convention in Juba in addition to representatives of the SPLM from the Northern Sector.

Delegates to the Convention shall in turn elect two hundred and fifty (250) representatives to the National Liberation Council (NLC).

Then the newly would-be elected members of the National Liberation Council shall in turn elect twenty-one (21) persons to the SPLM High Political Bureau that shall include the executive and its secretariat.

The source indicates that after electing a new top leadership for the Party then the SPLM Draft Constitution shall be discussed and passed by the Council with the SPLM Manifesto as well as the policy of the Party on the way forward.

Participants in the Convention are expected to be more than one thousand in number including observers and journalists.

Meanwhile, after Jonglei state, Upper Nile State Liberation Council is reported to have elected Honorable Dok Jok Dok as SPLM Chairperson, Hon. Sarah Nyanath Yong as Deputy Chairperson and Mr. Khor Dieu as Secretary.

The state elections may take three to four more days to complete in all the states of Southern Sudan.

(ST)