The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has publicly acknowledged its role in the devastating 2013 conflict that plunged South Sudan into years of violence and suffering, describing the war as a “power struggle within the party” and offering an apology to the citizens affected by the crisis.
Speaking during a major party gathering in Juba, the SPLM Secretary-General, Akol Paul Kordit, said the ruling party takes responsibility for the pain endured by the people during the conflict that erupted in December 2013.
“It was a power struggle war, and we, as a party, take responsibility and apologize to this country for the suffering of our people,” Akol said, in remarks that drew intense attention from party members and political observers.
He made the statement while addressing members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Central Equatoria State during a high-level party meeting in Juba, where leaders gathered to reflect on the party’s past and chart its political future.
The admission marks one of the most direct acknowledgements by a senior party official that internal power struggles within the SPLM contributed to the outbreak of the South Sudan Civil War, a conflict that displaced millions and left deep scars across the young nation.
Akol urged citizens not to remain trapped by the painful memories of the past but instead work together to rebuild the country and restore national unity.
“We must open a new chapter,” he told the gathering. “South Sudan belongs to all of us, and we must move forward together as a united people.”
His remarks came as the SPLM in Central Equatoria State launched a three-day expanded meeting in Juba aimed at strengthening internal cohesion and preparing the party for the political challenges ahead.
The meeting, held under the theme “Together in Solidarity, We Move SPLM Party Forward in Central Equatoria State,” brings together party officials, grassroots mobilizers, youth leaders, and women representatives from across the state.
Party leaders say the gathering is intended to reinforce unity within the movement and sharpen political strategies as the country prepares for the 2026 South Sudan General Elections.
The event was officially opened by the First Deputy Chairman of the SPLM and Vice President of South Sudan, James Wani Igga, who called on party members to close ranks and remain focused on strengthening the party’s leadership ahead of the polls.
Igga emphasized the need for discipline and solidarity within the ruling movement, warning that internal divisions have historically weakened political organizations and undermined national stability.
The 2013 conflict, which erupted following political disagreements among senior leaders of the ruling party, quickly spiraled into widespread violence across several states, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of civilians.
Although a peace agreement eventually helped calm the fighting, the legacy of the war continues to shape South Sudan’s political landscape.
For many South Sudanese, the path toward reconciliation and healing remains long, and calls for political responsibility are often accompanied by demands for genuine reforms and lasting peace.
As the three-day meeting continues in Juba, SPLM leaders are expected to deliberate on strategies to strengthen party structures, mobilize grassroots support, and present a unified front as the country moves toward the crucial 2026 polls.
