The leadership of the Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Northern Bhar el Ghazal has expressed support to party’s nominated interim Chairperson, Stephen Par Kuol.
The State SPLM-IO Chairman in Northern Bjhar el Ghazal, Daniel Akot Akot reaffirms allegiance to support the Interim Leadership citing that it would ease the call for release of the Dr. Riek Machar.
Despite several rejection by SPLM-IO members including military wing, Akot expressed that the interim leadership would focus on the implementation of peace agreement as well as release of Dr. Machar.
“We, the leadership of SPLM IO in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, reaffirm unwavering support to an Interim Leadership of our mighty party in South Sudan, and in the same note, we call upon the leadership of R-TGoNU to release H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhuorgon,” Akot said
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 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.”
