Caretaker Governor’s Role at SPLM Rally Raises Neutrality Questions
Louis Lobong Lojore addressed an SPLM mobilisation in Torit while serving as caretaker governor and party state chair. Whether public resources were used remains unverified.
TORIT — Eastern Equatoria’s caretaker governor Louis Lobong Lojore addressed an SPLM election mobilisation at the party’s state secretariat on 29 September, Radio Tamazuj reports. Lobong is also the SPLM’s state chairperson. His dual roles put an immediate public test to the caretaker administration’s reported obligation to remain impartial as the country prepares for the planned December election.
The meeting included calls for grassroots organisation and preparations for party primaries. Lobong urged former officials to return to party structures after the dissolution of the transitional government and described the contest as a peaceful democratic struggle. He expressed confidence that the SPLM would win. These remarks establish his participation in a party event; they do not, by themselves, establish that public money, staff or vehicles were used.
Where the line needs to be drawn
The caretaker order was reported to require impartiality and forbid using public office or resources for electoral advantage. The signed decree should be published so its actual language can be assessed. A public official’s membership in a party, speaking at a party event, seeking nomination, directing subordinates to campaign and deploying government assets are different actions. The competent authority needs to say which are allowed and which trigger investigation.
The question carries weight because caretaker governors are also being given appointment powers over state ministers, commissioners and mayors. A candidate, civil servant or resident should be able to distinguish an official instruction from a partisan request without fearing a loss of job or service. That requires transparent rules for vehicles, venues, security details, payroll staff and government communications.
Questions for the presidency and NEC
Was Lobong at the event in his official capacity or solely as an SPLM official? Did a state vehicle, staff member, security unit, public venue or budget support it? What written guidance governs party office and political campaigning by caretaker officials? Who can file a complaint, what evidence can be obtained and how soon must an investigation conclude? South Sudan Press has not established answers and invites responses from the governor’s office, SPLM, presidency and NEC.