*By John Kusolo*
In a bid to strengthen ties and facilitate political growth, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) of Uganda and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) of South Sudan have entered into a landmark cooperation agreement. The agreement, forged during a high-level meeting on Saturday, aims to provide ideological training for SPLM leaders at Uganda’s National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi. This marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two ruling parties, building on their shared history of revolutionary struggle and governance in the East African region.
*A Historic Meeting Between Brothers*
The meeting featured prominent leaders from both the NRM and the SPLM. Leading the NRM delegation was the party's Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, alongside the National Treasurer, Amb. Barbara Nekesa. On the SPLM side, the delegation was led by Cde. Bol Makueng Youl, the SPLM Secretary for External Relations. He was accompanied by Dr. John Oryem, the Secretary for Training and Research, Antipas Nyok Kucha, the Deputy Principal for Political School, and Dennis Marial Mourwel, Director for the Political Desk.
During the discussions, both parties agreed on a framework to enhance the capacity of SPLM leaders through structured ideological training in Uganda. This collaboration is expected to deepen political cohesion and strengthen party leadership in South Sudan, which has been grappling with internal challenges in its post-independence period.
*Amb. Barbara Nekesa’s Call for Dialogue and Learning*
Amb. Barbara Nekesa, NRM’s National Treasurer, played a pivotal role in the discussions, emphasizing the importance of mutual learning between the two revolutionary parties. In her address, she expressed NRM’s readiness to support the SPLM in its political journey but also highlighted the NRM's willingness to learn from the experiences of their South Sudanese counterparts.
"We are ready to learn new ideas from the SPLM on how they run their political business to improve mobilization and service delivery to the people," Amb. Nekesa remarked. She acknowledged that while Uganda has offered much-needed support to South Sudan, there is also much to gain from the SPLM's experience in governing the world's youngest nation.
Nekesa also called for peaceful dialogue within South Sudan, urging the SPLM leadership to engage with opposition forces for the sake of peace and stability. "Dialogue is key to achieving lasting peace," she said, emphasizing that ongoing conflicts should be addressed through constructive engagement for the common good of all South Sudanese citizens.
*Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Economic Cooperation*
Beyond ideological training, the meeting delved into broader discussions on how Uganda and South Sudan could work together to boost socio-economic empowerment. Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary General, emphasized the need for cross-border trade without barriers to improve the livelihoods of people in both countries. This, he said, would enhance the regional integration efforts spearheaded by both nations.
"Our secretariat pledges to facilitate the training of our brothers and sisters as a contribution to the growth of multiparty democracy in the world’s youngest nation," Todwong stated. He reiterated Uganda’s commitment to helping South Sudan navigate its path to stable governance, with a particular focus on capacity building and economic cooperation.
*SPLM’s Gratitude and Vision for the Future*
Cde. Bol Makueng Youl, leading the SPLM delegation, expressed deep gratitude to the NRM for its unwavering support to South Sudan throughout its journey toward independence and beyond. He acknowledged Uganda's significant role during South Sudan's fight for self-determination and in the country's post-independence development, particularly in defense, economic stability, and political governance.
“You were by our side when we fought for self-determination, and you have continued to be by our side in defense, building the national economy, and democracy,” Bol Makueng Youl said. He reaffirmed SPLM’s commitment to actualizing the training program to ensure that South Sudan’s ruling party is led by ideologically grounded leaders, capable of steering the country towards a brighter future.
*Commitment to Revolutionary Ideals*
The meeting also underscored the shared revolutionary ideals between the two parties. Rtd. Maj. Awich Pollar, NRM’s Director for External Affairs, hailed the SPLM for visiting Uganda and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the two parties. "It was right and fitting that such a revolutionary party pays us a courtesy call to deliberate bilateral progress," Maj. Awich stated.
The NRM has a long history of working with revolutionary movements across the continent, and its partnership with the SPLM is seen as a natural extension of its commitment to supporting political movements that aim to uplift their people and promote democracy.
*A Step Towards Long-Term Cooperation*
The cooperation agreement between the NRM and the SPLM symbolizes more than just a political alliance; it represents a deeper regional bond that has been forged over decades. Both parties are committed to ensuring that South Sudan’s leadership remains strong, ideologically grounded, and capable of overcoming internal and external challenges.
As Amb. Barbara Nekesa aptly put it, the partnership is not only about teaching but also learning. It is about shared experiences and finding common ground to build stronger, more resilient leadership that can serve the people of both Uganda and South Sudan effectively. With the support of Uganda, South Sudan’s ruling party is poised to strengthen its leadership and chart a sustainable path forward.
This cooperation agreement is just the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful relationship between the two parties, with long-term benefits for both nations. The ideological training of SPLM leaders at Kyankwanzi is set to be a crucial step in ensuring that South Sudan's ruling party can navigate the complexities of governance and deliver on its promises to the people.
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