By William Madouk
Minister of Peace-Building Stephen Par Kuol has been named interim chair of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) until Dr. Riek Machar is released.
The declaration was made today at the SPLM-IO leadership consultation meeting in Juba, which included members of the party’s Political Bureau (PB) and the National Liberation Council (NLC).
Speaking at a press conference, Par named himself as the new interim chair, Losuba Ludoru Wongo as the interim deputy chairman and Agok Makur Kur, a former deputy minister of finance, as the interim secretary-general of the SPLM-IO.
“On the formation of the SPLM-IO leadership, the National Liberation Council nominated and approved the following leaders to lead the party at this junction until when the SPLM-IO Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar, is released,” he said.
“And they are as follows: 1. Amb Stephen Par Kuol, Interim Chairman of the SPM-IO. 2. Hon. Losuba Wongo, Deputy Chair of the SPLM-IO. 3. Hon. Agok Makur, Secretary General of the SPLM-IO,” Par announced.
He stated that the SPLM-IO is fully committed to the 2018 peace agreement and called for the release of Dr. Machar and other detainees, citing that the act undermine the principle of peace and dialogue.
“We believe that the agreement is the sole pathway to achieving lasting peace and reconciliation among the diverse communities of South Sudan. The National Liberation Council urgently calls for the immediate release of the SDLM-IO Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and all comrades and detainees following the recent clashes in Nasser involving armed civilians and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces,”
Mr. Par urged the peace parties involved in the ongoing military offensive to stop military operations that would create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.
He claimed that his group has “delinked” from Nathaniel Oyet, Machar’s deputy, who has served as the acting chairman since Machar’s arrest. According to reports, Oyet has traveled outside of Juba.
“We, the SPLM IO, delink ourselves from Hon. Oyet Nathaniel and henceforth resolve to treat him as former Deputy Chairman and deputy Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/A IO,” Par stated.
Par, who himself was suspended earlier this week by Oyet for allegedly plotting to oust Machar, explained that the decision to remove Oyet was due to his absence from the capital.
He asserted that Juba is the headquarters of the SPLM-IO and that the party could not be directed by what he described as a “self-exiled” leader.
“Therefore, the SPLM/A IO, which is part and parcel of the national unity government, cannot be led or take orders from a self-exiled leader. Party and government decisions are always taken where the seat of the party and/or government is established and not via remote,” he added.
Newly elected members of SPLM-IO
The SPLM-IO is a key signatory to the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018 by President Kiir and Machar. Since 2020, the SPLM-IO has operated from Juba, where its national secretariat is located.
“The SPLM IO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace agreement, both in letter and spirit. We believe that this agreement is the sole pathway to achieving lasting peace and reconciliation among the diverse communities of South Sudan,” Par said.
While Machar is arrested, the party’s current secretary-general, Regina Joseph Kaba, is not. The grounds for her apparent dismissal from her job were unclear after Par’s announcement.
Par made this announcement less than a month after President Salva Kiir Mayardit placed SPLM-IO First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest due to rising tensions.
These tensions arose following violent battles between armed youth known as the White Army and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Nasir County, in the northeastern state of Upper Nile.
Reacting to the latest political development, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said this decision is acceptable if it complies with the fundamental guidelines set forth by the SPLM-IO and has the approval of the chair, Dr. Machar, who is under house arrest.
“If this decision was aligned with the basic documents established by the SPLM-IO and with the consent of the chair, who is under house arrest, undergoing investigation, then it is not a problem,” said Yakani.
“But if it is not in conformity and with acceptance and consent of the chair then the leadership is going to be challenged,” he added.
He revealed that he has seen a counter-statement coming out from the two sides of the party.
Yakani hinted a split within the SPLM-IO, that may hinder the implementation of the 2018 peace deal such as security arrangement, mechanisms and establishment that are to deliver tasks.
“I’m a bit worried that if this situation is not properly handled by SPLM (IO) internal arrangements, it may be a split of a new group, a repetition of 2016’s experiences, and this means R-ARCSS may be at risk, because there’s going to be an internal competition of who is who among the IOs in their representation and the mechanisms that are tasked to implement the agreement,”
According to a well-known activist, any division within the IO will negatively impact the anticipated political transformation that the nation will go through.
“Though we have seen the picture of His Excellency the Vice-President [Dr. Riek Machar] in the banner, whether that is for honest and sincere purpose or not, it requires confirmation from his end as a former or as a Vice-President, as a Commander-in-Chief, and who is under house arrest, because we have seen already a conflicting position among the two,” he said.
Meanwhile, SPLA-IO military spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel separated the army from the newly elected leadership under Par Kuol, describing it as a ‘backstabber’ to the movement.
“The SPLA-IO would like to inform the public, IGAD, AU, UN, and the International Community that it is not part and parcel of the betrayers in Juba led by Phar Kuol,” Gabriel said in a statement.
He stated that the SPLA-IO is fully commanded and controlled by H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, and that in his absence, Gen. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino is in charge.
“The SPLA-IO Acting Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol, hereby directs all Sector and Division Commanders to distance themselves from the betrayers in Juba,” he announced.