Sharp division engulfed the Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) over who is the right party chairperson to support.
After the house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar, the Chairman of the Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A-IO), some of the members including the Deputy Chairperson Oyet Nathaniel left the country and declared the 2018 peace agreement dead.
However, in an attempt to continue with the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement a group of prominent SPLM/A-IO figures led by Minister of Peace Building Stephen Par Kuol reiterated their commitment to peace as they call for release of Dr. Machar.
Oyet Nathaniel the SPLM/A-IO deputy chair, in his place of hiding slapped the four members including Minister Par Kuol with suspension citing that they wanted to overthrow Dr. Machar with Support from the government.
To deepen the division on Wednesday Suspened Stephen Par Kuol and the members convened a consultative meeting that brough hundreds of members together in an event that turnout to be nomination for interim chair as well as deputy and secretary general.
Stephen Par Kuol successful nomination as Interim chair replacing Dr. Machar who is under house arrest received series of rejection from SPLM/A-IO members.
However, Par and the team in Juba remain committed to implementation of the peace agreement despites series of rejection, a move that left political dilemma in the Opposition party.
After assuming the seat of Interim chair, Stephen Par Koul expressed that the decision was not meant to Replace Dr. Machar but to ease his release as well as implementation of peace agreement.
According Press Statement extended to media, Oyet Nathaniel, Acting Chairman of SPLM-IO rubbished the Dr. Machar replacement by Par Kuol.
Oyet expressed that meeting that ousted Dr. Machar was illegal and urged all the members distance themselves from Par Koul leadership citing that they are being use to spoiled the agreement.
“The gathering failing to meet the provision of the party constitution, it was not only illegal but null and void” he said.
“The replacement of Dr. Machar by suspended members of SPLM/A-IO is illegal and i urged our members to distance themselves from Par Kuol” he added
On the other hand, SPLA-IO commanders rejected the interim leadership of Stephen Par and Lasuba Wango, adding thatthey only recognize Dr. Riek Machar and Oyet Nathaniel as the legitimate leaders of the party that is a signatory to the 2018 peace deal.
In response to the formation of the interim leadership, SPLA-IO Acting Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol and D/G for National Security Services Lt. Gen. Yiey Dak, who fled Juba fearing arrest, instructed all Sector and Division Commanders to distance themselves from Juba interim leadership which they term as “betrayers in Juba.”
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO spokesperson, informed the public and the 2018 peace deal guarantors, including IGAD, AU, UN, and the international community, that they are not involved in the Juba interim leadership.
“The SPLA-IO is under the full command and control of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and in his absence, Gen. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino is in charge,”
Also, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) officially rejected the splinter group led by Hon. Par Kuol, delivering a major setback to the newly formed faction claiming loyalty to the SPLM/A-IO.
In a clear statement, R-JMEC reaffirmed its position recognizing only officials appointed by Hon. Nathaniel Oyet, First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and Deputy Chairman of the SPLM/A-IO.
