Over 70 SPLM-IO members defect to SPLM-IG in Western Equatoria

By Emmanuel Mandella

In a notable political development reflective of shifting allegiances and a growing call for national cohesion, at least 73 members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) have officially defected to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Government (SPLM-IG). The political shift, announced in Mvolo County, comes at a critical time as South Sudan prepares for its long-delayed first democratic elections.

Led by the former SPLM-IO County Secretary, Isaac Aroup, the defectors include youth leaders, women mobilizers, and former county officials. Their decision, described by many as a courageous act of reconciliation, is being widely interpreted as a vote of confidence in the SPLM-IG’s message of unity and national rebuilding.

According to Doroba Palo, SPLM-IG Chairperson in Mvolo County, the move began with a personal call from Aroup just days before the public declaration.
“Four days ago, while I was in the garden, I received a phone call from Isaac Aroup. He told me he wanted to return to the SPLM-IG. I asked him to write a commitment letter expressing his intention, and today we welcome him and his team,” Palo told The City Review.

The symbolic return was marked by a public gathering in Mvolo, where Palo emphasized forgiveness, unity, and the importance of building trust in the run-up to elections.
“We have forgiven you, and we ask you to also forgive us so that we can move forward together,” he said.

The mass defection adds a new layer to the shifting political landscape in Western Equatoria, a state that has witnessed repeated cycles of political fragmentation and reintegration since the outbreak of conflict in 2013. With the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement still in implementation, such moves carry weight not just symbolically, but also strategically as political parties position themselves for elections.

Observers say the defection signals not only the SPLM-IG’s strengthened grassroots appeal but also the desire among citizens for peace, reconciliation, and effective governance.
“While defections are common in transitional politics, this move may reflect SPLM-IO’s weakening influence in certain areas, but it also underlines the SPLM-IG’s effort to present itself as a stable, unified front,” said Mary James, a political analyst based in Yambio.

Civil society groups have urged all parties to approach the situation with maturity, emphasizing the importance of respecting political freedom and discouraging retaliation or inflammatory rhetoric.
“Defections should not lead to tensions at the grassroots. We call on communities to support peaceful political transitions and respect individual choices,” said Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO).

According to a recent UNMISS report, the frequency of political defections has increased since 2023, particularly in regions where local peace dialogues and reconciliation efforts have taken root.

As South Sudan stands at the threshold of a democratic transition, the peaceful reintegration of political actors and the strengthening of inter-party dialogue are vital for long-term stability. The return of Isaac Aroup and his team to the SPLM-IG is not just a political event—it is a symbol of what is possible when unity is prioritized over division, and when reconciliation triumphs over rivalry.

If these gestures of goodwill are nurtured and replicated across the country, they may pave the way for a more inclusive and peaceful political environment—one in which every citizen can participate freely in shaping South Sudan’s future.