The interim chairperson of the Sudan people liberation Movement in Opposition Stephen Par Kuol has vowed to ensure that the 2018 peace agreement is prevented from collapsing.
Par expressed the SPLM-IO members are working around the clock to ensure that the peace implementation continue and the security gets stabilize.
He made the statement while addressing masses at late Matai Gatlauk’s funeral in Juba., an event that brough politicians, church leaders as well as various communities together.
“We can not allow this peace agreement to collapsed, this peace agreement is a tall building and if it collapsed the damages will be on all of us” Par said.
Par expressed that his team would remain committed to ensure that Dr. Machar is release from house arrest.
He called on the members to unite and work toward peace implementation and Unity of South Sudanese.
Early this month, Suspended Stephen Par Kuol and the members convened a consultative meeting that brough hundreds of members SPLM-IO 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 as 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 to a press Statement extended to the 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 thattheyonly 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.”
