By Matik Kueth
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has rejected the authority of the Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol to suspend party members, stressing that he lacks constitutional mandate to do so.
This came after Kuol suspended 33 SPLM-IO officials loyal to the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, including Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, Riang Yer Zuor, Deng Akoon, Angelina Teny, Pal Mai Deng, Juol Nhomngek Daniel, Regina Joseph Kaba, Paul Baba Ezibon Bafe, Gai Mayen Luk, Isaac Khemis Paul, Samson Amule Masiete, Emmanuel Primo Okello.
Others are Farouk Gatkuoth Kam, Mary KongKong James, Ann Dokki Matayo, Jackson Charles Wani, Joseph Malual Deng, Yolanda Awel Deng, Wiu Kun Kaiyang, Joseph Malual Deng, Yolanda Awel Deng, Peter Marcello Jelenge, Sandra Bona Malual, Elizabeth Acuei Yel, Nyenagwek Kuol Mareng, Kuong Dak Wie, and Mary Kong-Kong James.
In a statement to King Media on Wednesday, Eng. Joseph Malwal Dong, Chairperson of the SPLM-IO National Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, emphasized that Kuol lacks the constitutional authority to suspend any party members led by Dr. Machar.
He said Kuol of defecting from Machar’s camp, alleging that his acts violated the SPLM-IO constitution.
“Hon. Stephen Par does not have the power to suspend any member of SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar’s leadership; he has defected from the party since April 9, 2025,” Dong stated.
“His actions at the Palm Africa Hotel meeting were carried out in violation of SPLM-IO constitutional procedures, especially since he was already under suspension prior to his defection,” he said.
Dong further noted that the SPLM-IO faction based in Juba, led by the party’s legitimate leadership, considers Kuol’s actions invalid.
“He is neither the Chairman of SPLM-IO nor a current member of the party since his defection. The party’s leadership maintains its constitutional rights and authority and disassociates from Kuol’s actions,” he affirmed.
Kuol, who claims to lead the SPLM-IO, was suspended from the party on April 7 along with four others, including Magok Makur Kur, former deputy minister of finance, Diing Lam, and Luke Thompson Thoan, for allegedly plotting to replace Machar, who is still in house arrest.
Despite his suspension, Kuol insists he has cut ties with the SPLM-IO, including the party’s deputy and acting chairman, Oyet Nathaniel.
Nathaniel, in turn, issued a letter to the R-JMEC, urging them not to recognize any changes made by Kuol, asserting that he is no longer a party member.
The peace monitor, R-JMEC has so far expressed concern over ongoing violations of the South Sudan peace agreement, warning that persistent breaches threaten to derail the peace process altogether.
These setbacks have hindered the integration of forces and undermined trust necessary for transitional governance and justice mechanisms.
On May 8, the High-Level Standing Committee overseeing the 2018 Peace Agreement approved SPLM-IO’s interim leadership, led by Minister Kuol, granting him authority to nominate individuals for government positions.
However, Kuol’s recent self-declaration as the interim chairman of SPLM-IO has been met with resistance, especially given his assertions that party members who fled for safety cannot implement the peace agreement following government crackdowns on opposition members linked to Machar.
On the other hand, SPLM-IO members loyal to Dr. Machar have reaffirmed their full support for him, arguing that Machar is still the legitimate leader of the SPLM/A-IO, with all of the party’s forces under his control, whilst Kuol has none, claiming that he is wasting his time for nothing.
The continued squabbles between the SPLM-IO Juba group and Machar’s loyalists demonstrate the SPLM-IO’s profound divides as well as the precarious state in which the SPLM-IO is supporting the Juba-based faction for the party’s internal schism.