SPLM turns focus to Agriculture to build public trust, cement party principles ahead of polls

Party Secretary General, Dr. Akol Paul Kordit says agriculture remains central to the party’s historical mission of empowering citizens through self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

By Emmanuel Mandella

The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, has revealed that the ruling party is prioritizing agriculture as a strategic pathway to restore public confidence and strengthen its founding principles ahead of the country’s anticipated December general elections.

Dr. Akol made the remarks following a high-level consultative meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Lily Albino Akol, aimed at aligning government agricultural programs with the SPLM’s policy agenda and revitalizing the sector to address food insecurity and economic challenges facing South Sudan.

According to party officials, the meeting focused on reinforcing cooperation between political leadership and technical government institutions to ensure agricultural development becomes a cornerstone of service delivery, rural transformation, and economic recovery.

The SPLM Secretary General emphasized that agriculture remains central to the party’s historical mission of empowering citizens through self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. He noted that investing in farming and rural productivity would not only enhance food security but also rebuild trust between the government and communities by delivering tangible results on the ground.

Observers say the renewed focus on agriculture comes at a critical moment as South Sudan prepares for its first elections under the Revitalized Peace Agreement, with political parties seeking to demonstrate practical solutions to economic hardship and rising food prices.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Deputy Minister Lily Albino Akol described the discussions as productive and forward-looking, highlighting the importance of policy coordination between the ruling party and government institutions.

She added that the engagement marked the beginning of a broader collaboration aimed at harmonizing party policies with government service delivery programs, particularly targeting vulnerable communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been pushing reforms intended to increase local food production, reduce dependence on imports, and encourage investment in farming across the country’s fertile regions. Analysts argue that stronger coordination between political leadership and sector ministries could help unlock agricultural potential if supported by infrastructure development, access to markets, and farmer support programs.

Political analysts note that agriculture carries both economic and political significance for the SPLM as it seeks to reconnect with rural populations, where the majority of South Sudanese depend on farming and livestock for survival. By placing agriculture at the center of its agenda, the party appears to be positioning food security and rural development as key campaign themes ahead of the polls.

The meeting signals what party leaders describe as a renewed commitment to translating policy into practical outcomes, with agriculture viewed as a unifying national priority capable of promoting stability, economic resilience, and long-term development.

As the country moves closer to the December elections, stakeholders say the effectiveness of such initiatives will ultimately be measured by improvements in food availability, farmer support, and living conditions in rural communities across South Sudan.

Utilities

SPLM party SG believes investing in farming and rural productivity would not only enhance food security but also rebuild trust between the government and communities.