Salva Kiir elected Chairman of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement

May 20, 2008 (JUBA) — Second National Convention of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has elected unanimously in its meeting today Salva Kiir Mayadrit as chairman of the party for five years to come

Riak Machar, the former First Deputy Chairman of the SPLM nominated Salva Kiir for the presidency of the movement. Pagan Amum, the former Secretary General supported the proposal. Both they pointed his efforts in the establishment of the party and to ensure its unity.

The convention also passed the constitution of the SPLM and its manifesto which insists on the need to build one state for all the Sudanese, as strategic choice for the SPLM.

Salva Kiir described the constitution as a safety valve of the SPLM, adding it will contribute to developing the performance of the various organs of the Movement.

The convention also elected the National Liberation Council, which consists of 275 members. The council will in turn elect three vice-presidents and Secretary-General and his two deputies in addition to members of the Political Bureau

Riek Machar, James Wani and Malik Aggar are expected to be re-elected in their positions as deputies chairman. Also Pagan Amum is expected to be reconducted as secretary-general of the movement despite his initial refusal to retake the office.

Machar and Nhial Deng Nhial, the two contenders for Chairmanship of the SPLM had accepted to withdraw their declaration of candidacy against the interim Chairman, Salva Kiir Mayardit who had been elected to this position following the tragic death of Dr John Garang at the end of July 2005.

(ST)