South Sudan’s political establishment, senior politician Nhial Deng Nhial, a longtime heavyweight of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has broken ranks to launch his own political party, the South Sudan Salvation Movement (SSSM), promising a new dawn of reform and accountability.
Unveiling the new outfit through an 18-page declaration, Nhial accused the SPLM leadership of abandoning the ideals that inspired the country’s long struggle for freedom, describing the party as a shadow of its former self.
“The SPLM has lost its moral compass. Our people deserve a movement that serves citizens, not political elites. South Sudan needs salvation, not stagnation,” Nhial declared.
Once regarded as one of President Salva Kiir’s most trusted allies and the quiet architect of South Sudan’s foreign policy, Nhial now positions himself as a reformist crusader calling for integrity, national unity, and a renewed sense of purpose in governance.
Many say the move could ignite a realignment within the SPLM and energize reform-minded politicians, civil society leaders, and frustrated youth seeking change from within a system seen as increasingly detached from the people’s realities.
The announcement comes amid growing internal divisions within the ruling party and public frustration over the country’s deepening economic woes, delayed peace implementation, and persistent governance challenges.
Nhial described his new movement as “a platform of hope and renewal dedicated to building a just, peaceful, and united South Sudan.”
Whether the Salvation Movement will spark a political rebirth or merely add another name to the country’s crowded political landscape remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: South Sudan’s political chessboard just gained a powerful new player.
