22/05/2025
**PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR OFFICIATES THE OATH-TAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW SPLM DEPUTY CHAIRS**
**Juba, May 22, 2025** โ Today, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the esteemed Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), took center stage at the partyโs national headquarters in Juba to oversee the swearing-in of the newly appointed Deputy Chairpersons of the SPLM.
The event celebrated the formal induction of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as the First Deputy Chairman, Mary Apai as the Second Deputy Chairperson, and Simon Kun as the Third Deputy Chairman.
In his address, President Kiir warmly welcomed this fresh wave of leadership within the SPLM. He reflected on the movementโs rich history and honored its founding figures.
He characterized the SPLM as a beacon of struggle and hope, asserting that it transcends tribal and regional boundaries, belonging to all the people of South Sudan. He urged the new deputies to embrace their roles with a spirit of unity and service, emphasizing, โThis is not merely a reward; it is a profound responsibility.โ He called for leadership that is results-oriented and highlighted the importance of national self-sufficiency through agriculture, proclaiming 2025 as the Year of Agriculture.
Speaking directly to the youth, he underscored that the future rests in their capable hands and encouraged them to draw lessons from the past to pave the way for the nationโs progress.
Vice President Dr. Bol Mel expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the confidence placed in him, vowing to serve with discipline and loyalty. He committed to collaborating with his fellow deputies to forge a robust team, uphold the SPLMโs vision, and honor the legacy of those who came before them. โWhile I may be new to this role, I am not new to the struggle,โ he remarked.
The ceremony was graced by senior government officials, members of the SPLM Political Bureau, and esteemed guests from across the nation.