The SPLM's vision is a peaceful, just, and prosperous South Sudan where secular democracy, inclusion, and service to the people promote opportunity and ensure dignity for all. The Movement seeks a nation free from political, social, and economic disparities, where every citizen shares in progress.
The SPLM is a democratic, mass-based party forged through decades of struggle for justice and freedom, and dedicated now to peace, unity, and national development for all South Sudanese.
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, is a revolutionary democratic political organization that emerged from the armed struggle begun in 1983. It exists to advance justice, freedom, and self-determination for the people of South Sudan. From the beginning, the Movement has been animated by justice, liberty, and prosperity as core values, and it spells out its political vision and programme in the SPLM Manifesto.
1983Movement founded
2005Comprehensive Peace Agreement
2011Independence of South Sudan
Our History
The SPLM helped lead the long road from war to peace. That journey cost many lives and tested every community; it also created the mandate for the SPLM to serve national development, keep peace on the agenda, and protect the gains the country fought for. Four moments define it.
-
16 May 1983The Movement is born
The SPLM and its armed wing, the SPLA, were founded under the leadership of Dr. John Garang de Mabior. The Movement took up the cause of the marginalised people of Sudan and set out to build a New Sudan founded on justice, equality, and freedom. Members mark 16 May every year as SPLM/SPLA Day.
Read the full story → -
20 July 2002The Machakos Protocol
Talks in Machakos, Kenya, produced the first framework agreement of the peace process. It recognised the right of the people of Southern Sudan to self-determination through a referendum, and set the path for the negotiations that followed.
Read the full story → -
9 January 2005The Comprehensive Peace Agreement
The CPA, signed in Nairobi, ended 21 years of civil war and guaranteed a referendum on Southern Sudan's future. Dr. John Garang became First Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan. After his death in July 2005, Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit took up the leadership of the Movement and carried the agreement through to its conclusion.
Read the full story → -
9 July 2011Independence
In the January 2011 referendum, 98.83% of voters chose independence. On 9 July 2011 the Republic of South Sudan was proclaimed in Juba, with the SPLM Chairman, Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit, as its first President.
Read the full story →
What We Stand For
Today the SPLM describes itself as a democratic, nationwide party. It stands for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights; for unity in diversity, equality, transparency, and accountability; and for participatory politics and collective leadership. It welcomes South Sudanese without discrimination by race, gender, religion, creed, origin, or ethnicity. Those principles guide how the Movement acts in public life and inside its own ranks.
The SPLM aims to help build a democratic, developmental South Sudan: one with representative government, respect for rights, and space for all groups in national life. It prioritizes easing poverty, improving livelihoods, expanding services where it governs, and stewardship of the country's natural wealth for future generations, with attention to women, youth, veterans, and others who bore the heaviest costs of war.
The SPLM's mission is to serve South Sudan as a democratic mass movement committed to peace, justice, secular democracy, and service to the people. The Party works for just governance, national wellbeing, democratic rights, sustainable development, protection of women, youth, and vulnerable groups, unity in diversity, and accountable leadership.
The SPLM is guided by democracy, justice, freedom, peace, and social cohesion; decentralisation; unity in diversity; the rule of law; human rights; participatory and collective leadership; accountability and transparency; gender equality; care for youth, veterans, and people with special needs; economic self-reliance; balanced foreign policy; environmental stewardship; and democratic election of leadership at every level.
How the Party Is Organised
The Movement operates through clear national structures so decisions and programmes can move from leadership to the grassroots. Its Constitution sets out each organ and how its leaders are chosen.
National ConventionThe supreme organ of the Party and its broadest policy forum. It adopts the Manifesto and Constitution and elects the Chairman.
National Liberation CouncilCarries the authority of the Convention between its sessions and oversees the Party's programmes.
Political BureauGives day-to-day political direction and takes the Party's key decisions under the Chairman.
National SecretariatRuns administration, mobilisation, and communication, headed by the Secretary General.
State StructuresState secretariats and leadership carry Party work into every state.
Counties, Payams and BomasThe grassroots, where members organise, register, and campaign in their communities.
Women, Youth and Chapters
The SPLM's leagues give women and young people their own platform inside the Party. The Women League held its first national constitutional conference in Juba in August 2026 under the theme "Empowered Woman, Empowered Nation". The Youth League organises young members for civic work and the coming elections.
Beyond South Sudan, SPLM Chapters connect members in the diaspora with the Party at home.
The SPLM Today
The Party is preparing for its 3rd National Convention and for the general elections, through mass membership registration, leadership summits in every region, and outreach to communities across the country.
Through the Manifesto and its organizational life, the SPLM seeks to consolidate peace, strengthen institutions, and pursue sustainable development. It presents itself as accountable to its members and to the public, and committed to a peaceful, united, and prosperous South Sudan.
SPLM Instruments
SPLM Flag
The official SPLM flag places a light blue triangle at the hoist with a single yellow five-pointed star, while the fly carries three equal horizontal stripes of black, red, and green, each pair divided by a thin white stripe. The circular SPLM emblem sits at the center. Together these elements make the flag a public symbol of the liberation struggle and of South Sudanese political identity.
SPLM Symbol
The official emblem is a circular seal with a bold outer ring inscribed with the Movement's full name. The inner design groups the words Unity, Equality, and Progress around the letters SPLM, with a stylized wreath-like motif at the base. It concentrates the Movement's identity and values in a single mark for documents, ballot materials, and public display.
SPLM T-Shirt
The red movement T-shirt carries the national flag and SPLM emblem on the chest together with prominent SPLM lettering. Members and supporters wear it as a visible sign of solidarity, remembrance of those who died in the struggle, and commitment to the ideals the party upholds.
SPLM Cap
The red cap pairs a bright yellow five-pointed star with SPLM lettering on the crown. Alongside the shirt and flag, it is everyday wear that signals belonging to the Movement and support for democracy, equality, and service to the community.
Be part of the Movement
Register as a member and help carry peace, unity, and progress to every community.