The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) has suspended four senior members, accusing them of conspiring to overthrow Dr. Riek Machar, the party’s chairman.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierrino, the Acting Chairperson, issued a statement on Monday, alleging that the four members were involved in efforts to replace Dr. Machar, who is currently under arrest.
The suspended individuals include Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding; Agok Majur Kur, National Member of Parliament; Diing Lam, National Member of Parliament; and Luke Thoan Teny, Member of the East African Legislative Assembly.
Despite Dr. Machar’s arrest, the four had chosen to remain in Juba to continue the implementation of the peace agreement. However, Oyet’s camp accused them of creating “internal disunity.”
“I, Cde. Oyet Nathaniel Pierrino, Acting Chairperson of the SPLM/A-IO, do hereby issue this order to suspend the following members from their respective duties and membership of the party in accordance with Sections 16.3 and 16.4 of the party’s Code of Conduct, for engaging in subversive actions that are serious offenses under Section 14.5 of the Code of Conduct,” Oyet said in a letter.
In addition to their suspension from the party, the four members’ positions in the government have been affected by the order, pending a decision from the disciplinary committee. Minister Stephen Par Kuol and the other suspended members have yet to publicly respond to the move. Efforts to reach them for comment have been unsuccessful.
This move follows Stephen Par Kuol’s statement last week, where he reiterated his and his colleagues’ commitment to the 2018 peace agreement, despite Oyet’s claims that the agreement had collapsed following Dr. Machar’s arrest.
The charges against Hon. Par Kuol read: “Hon. Par Kuol engaged in activities supporting the SPLM-IG to create disunity in the party and undermine the R-ARCSS by mobilizing for the replacement of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, and Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO. He is acting with the support of the SPLM-IG’s political and security apparatus to orchestrate this plan.”
As the public awaits a response from the suspended officials, the question remains whether Oyet’s order will be respected. Oyet, who fled the country, is currently in hiding, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
