A fresh wave of internal strife has hit the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), as the Youth League in Eastern Equatoria State rejects the suspension of its leaders by Interim Chairperson Stephen Par Kuol.
The SPLM-IO State Youth League Chairperson, Visor Likali Olum, who also serves as a member of the Eastern Equatoria State Parliament, dismissed the suspension as illegitimate, arguing that Par lacks the authority to take such action.
“Stephen Par and his team were already suspended by our Acting Chairman, Comrade Oyet Nathaniel, and Secretary-General Hon. Regina Joseph Kapa. They are no longer members of our leadership structure,” Olum claimed.
Par had earlier suspended several SPLM-IO members in Eastern Equatoria for allegedly undermining the party’s interim leadership. However, Olum accused Par of working against the unity of the movement, suggesting his actions are influenced by the SPLM-In-Government (SPLM-IG).
“They are running the business of SPLM-IG. If they are comfortable with that role, they should formally join them or form their own political party,” Olum stated.
He reiterated that the SPLM-IO Youth League remains loyal to the movement’s leader, Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest. He emphasized that Machar is still the legitimate chairperson, while Oyet Nathaniel serves as acting chair in his absence.
“We are firmly behind H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon. We are committed to defending the truth and exposing any betrayal that threatens the SPLM-IO’s mission,” he said.
Tensions have risen following the High-Level Standing Committee’s recent endorsement of Par as interim leader of SPLM-IO, authorizing him to appoint officials to various government positions under the peace agreement framework.
As the leadership rift deepens, concerns are mounting that such internal divisions could weaken the SPLM-IO’s position in the ongoing peace implementation process.
