SPLM-IO in Juba names interim chairman, replacing Dr. Machar

Meanwhile, Stephen Par Kuol, SPLM-IO interim chair, demanded the urgent release of their detained chairman, Dr. Riek Machar, in a meeting that was also absconded by some senior party members

By Chuol Chanyong

The SPLM-IO faction in Juba has named the Minister of Peace Building Stephen Par Kuol as the interim chairman, replacing the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who is still under house arrest.

Meanwhile, Lasuba Wango was appointed as the Deputy Interim Chairman and Agok Makur as Secretary General

The decision was reached during the party’s leadership consultative meeting held in Juba yesterday that was boycotted by other senior SPLM-IO members, including Angelina Teny, the minister of interior.

In a statement to the media, Stephen Par Kuol, SPLM-IO interim chair, demanded the urgent release of their detained chairman, Dr. Riek Machar.

“The National Liberation Council urgently calls for the immediate release of SPLM-IO Chairman Dr. Riek Machar Teny and all comrades detained following the recent clash in Nasir involving armed civilians and SSPDF,” he said.

“This act of detention undermines the principles of peace and dialogue essential for our nation’s recovery.”

Par also called for the immediate halt to the ongoing military offensives in some parts of the country and urged the parties involved to create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.

He reaffirmed the SPLM-IO unwavering commitment to the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 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.”

“The ongoing advance of the SSPDF toward Ulang County, particularly the effort to redeploy Nasir Town, must be halted to allow for the exploration of political solutions,” Par said.

The SPLM-IO consultative meeting was attended by members of the Political Bureau, members of the National Editorial Council, members of the National Transitional Parliament, and other groupings.

Machar loyalists reject Juba meeting

Meanwhile, Sudan People’s Liberation Army–in-Opposition spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul, said they are not part of the official’s decision, whom he termed as “the betrayers in Juba,” referring to members who have partnered with Stephen Par Kuol and appointed new interim leaders of the party, SPLM-IO.

Col. Lam insisted that the SPLA-IO members were under the full command and control of the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon.

“In his absence, Gen. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino is in charge.”

He further ordered Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol, the SPLA-IO Acting Chief of General Staff, to direct all Sector and Division Commanders to distance themselves from the members in Juba.

Yesterday, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly closed the office of Hon. Oyet, who doubles up as the First Deputy Speaker, citing his absence from South Sudan amid political tensions in Juba.

Parliament spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin said the lawmakers closed Oyet’s office after he went missing without notifying the Assembly’s administration.

He also accused Oyet of taking his office stamp and letterhead and using them for communications while absent from post.

However, in a rejoinder from an unknown location late yesterday evening, Oyet, in a press conference, rejected the meeting that appointed the new interim leadership of the party, saying the gathering did not meet the quorum of the Political Bureau to warrant the decision.

“The gathering was neither a meeting of the Political Bureau, which requires at least 28 members. It was not also a meeting of National Liberation Council, which would require 326 members nor it was National Convention, which requires 5000 members,” Oyet said, adding:

“The gathering was attended by only seven members of the Political Bureau, two of who, were suspended from the party. Out of 155 of MPs of both houses of the TNLA and the Council of States, only twelve attended, including a member who was suspended and some few honourable members of the state assemblies.”