The High-Level Standing Committee for Peace Implementation is set to convene a critical meeting to formally recognize the legitimacy of certain members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) following internal political splits.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Dr. Elia Lomuro, Secretary-General of the High-Level Standing Committee, said the body has proposed a strategic plan to reaffirm leadership representation within the opposition group.
“The High-Level Standing Committee, which includes all signatories to the peace agreement, must urgently convene to recognize the legitimate SPLM-IO faction to ensure the continued implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” Dr. Lomuro stated.
He explained that the committee would also request nominations from the recognized SPLM-IO representatives to restructure the peace implementation mechanisms and national commissions. These nominations will then be submitted to the President for official appointment.
Signed in 2018, the R-ARCSS brought together various political parties into a unity government tasked with implementing critical outstanding provisions, paving the way toward national elections. However, tensions within the SPLM/A-IO escalated dramatically in March 2025.
The crisis erupted after clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army, a community-based militia allegedly aligned with the SPLM/A-IO faction led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. According to government reports, the fighting in Nasir resulted in the deaths of more than 400 SSPDF soldiers, prompting accusations against Dr. Machar’s leadership.
In response, the government placed Dr. Machar and several senior SPLM-IO officials under house arrest, accusing them of orchestrating the attacks.
Amid the leadership crisis, the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council convened in April and appointed an interim leadership headed by Stephen Par Kuol. The new leadership pledged its commitment to implementing the peace deal and distanced itself from SPLM-IO factions operating in exile.
“The SPLM-IO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, both in letter and spirit,” read a statement issued by the Juba-based SPLM-IO faction.
To ensure the peace process remains on track, Dr. Lomuro stressed that the internal SPLM-IO disputes must not derail the broader implementation of the agreement.
“The Nasir crisis has fragmented the SPLM-IO into multiple groups: those under investigation, those in conflict with the law, those in hiding, those in self-exile, and those participating in government,” Dr. Lomuro noted during the Saturday press conference.
The upcoming committee meeting is seen as a pivotal step toward stabilizing the transitional government and maintaining momentum toward national elections.
