The interim leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has dismissed reports circulating on social media that its interim chairperson, Stephen Par Kuol, has fled Juba amid mounting political tensions.
The movement described the reports as false and accused what it called “peace spoilers” of spreading propaganda aimed at creating confusion within the public and undermining the implementation of the peace agreement.
Speaking to The Nile Witness, SPLM-IO acting spokesperson Riak Maker said Par Kuol remains in the capital and continues to carry out his responsibilities as interim chairperson.
“The interim chairperson, Stephen Par Kuol, has not gone anywhere. He is in Juba implementing the peace agreement,” Maker said.
He rejected claims circulating online that the interim chairperson had left the capital because of political pressure, describing the reports as allegations without a basis.
The denial follows social media posts claiming that Par Kuol had quietly left Juba as political tensions surrounding the implementation of the peace process continued to attract public attention.
Maker urged members of the public and social media users to exercise caution when consuming information shared online, particularly reports concerning senior political figures.
He said unverified claims could create unnecessary tension and called on the public to seek information from official or credible sources before sharing reports.
“What is online that he escaped Juba is just propaganda,” Maker said.
The SPLM-IO spokesperson did not provide further details about Par Kuol’s current activities in the capital, but maintained that the interim chairperson remains in Juba and is engaged in efforts related to the implementation of the peace agreement.
The statement is likely to ease speculation among supporters of the opposition movement following the emergence of the reports on social media.
Rumours concerning the whereabouts of senior political leaders have frequently circulated online in South Sudan, where political developments are closely followed and social media platforms have become a major source of news for many citizens.
However, the rapid spread of unverified information has also raised concerns among political actors, who have repeatedly urged the public to distinguish between confirmed reports and claims shared without evidence.
The SPLM-IO interim leadership said the latest reports should not be taken as credible and appealed to the public to rely on information from authorised representatives of the movement.
Maker also called on social media users to stop spreading what he described as fake news and instead obtain information from the appropriate sources.
The dispute comes at a sensitive period for South Sudan’s peace process, with political parties and other stakeholders continuing to face pressure to implement outstanding provisions of the agreement.
For now, the SPLM-IO maintains that there has been no departure from Juba by its interim chairperson and that Par Kuol remains focused on his political responsibilities.
The movement’s denial leaves the social media reports unsubstantiated, with no independent confirmation presented to support claims that Par Kuol has left the capital.
