Lobong warns SPLM aspirants against armed escorts and hate speech

The Caretaker Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has warned candidates seeking leadership positions in the SPLM against using heavily armed security personnel and engaging in hate speech during the party’s internal elections.

The warning comes as the party prepares to conduct its primaries and congresses following the arrival of a high-level SPLM delegation tasked with organizing the elections.

Lobong expressed concern over reports that some aspirants were moving with heavily armed escorts, saying the practice could intimidate civilians and threaten peace and stability.

“We have a high-level delegation from the SPLM that came and they are organizing, giving people forms for those who want to contest. Very soon they will go to the counties to conduct congresses. Eventually, they will go and organize a state congress,” he said.

The governor said the security situation in the state remained generally calm, except for an incident reported in Kapoeta South County, which he said had been contained and was being handled by the relevant authorities.

He urged aspirants to avoid using excessive security escorts that could create fear among communities. He said even as governor, he moves with only one or two soldiers and walks freely in town without intimidating residents.

Lobong also reminded candidates that the official campaign period had not yet been declared by the National Election Commission, stressing that current activities were strictly internal party programmes.

“We also say the campaign has not been declared yet by the National Election Commission. What is going on is internal party programs, and it should really contain within the party members, not the whole public, because the whole public are not all SPLM,” he added.

He called on aspirants to restrict their political mobilisation to SPLM members and avoid involving the general public in activities that could be mistaken for official campaign rallies.

The governor urged all candidates to exercise restraint and ensure that the party’s internal electoral process is conducted peacefully as they await the official announcement of the campaign period and the release of election rules and guidelines.