Sgt. Agel joins Kalisto Ladu in declaring SPLM election bid

Senior SPLM member Sergeant Agel Machar has publicly declared his intention to contest in the upcoming elections, becoming the second prominent party figure after Kalisto Ladu to launch a bid while asserting the ruling party’s sovereign role in South Sudan’s political future.

Machar, who previously served as spokesperson for former First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, made the remarks during a gathering organized by SPLM youth at the Upper Nile University campus in Juba this week.

Addressing party supporters, Machar framed South Sudan’s statehood as the direct result of historical sacrifice rather than international diplomacy or external intervention.

“We fought for this country. No region, no country, and no international institution gave us this country as a donation—whether United Nations, African Union, IGAD, Troika, America, or others,” Machar said. “The 2.5 million lives that were sacrificed under the leadership of the SPLM, that brought this country.”

He argued that this history gives the ruling party the core mandate to determine when and how the country approaches its political transitions.

“The decision of this country has to be in the hands of the SPLM and the SPL leadership,” Machar stated. “If they say we are going for elections, we are ready. And as a result, I’m going to contest in one of those positions and I am prepared.”

Machar did not specify which elective seat or constituency he plans to run for, noting that further details regarding his candidacy will follow as official processes progress.

Machar’s declaration adds momentum to an expanding field of internal party contenders following a similar public endorsement appeal by former Juba Mayor Kalisto Ladu.

Speaking during the Jubek Day celebrations in July 2026, Ladu appealed to the SPLM leadership to endorse his candidacy, stating that his intention to run stems directly from public demand.

“I believe that the SPLM leadership, under President Salva Kiir and Governor Emmanuel Adil, has heard the voice of the people when they said that Kalisto should contest in the elections,” Ladu stated.

“I want to appeal to my leadership in the SPLM that Kalisto is a ticket that can bring achievement to both the citizens and the SPLM.”

The declarations by both Machar and Ladu come as political parties across the country step up preparations ahead of South Sudan’s scheduled December 2026 general elections.