JUBA – Tensions and chaos are looming within the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) as local commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal reiterated an earlier rejection of the new governor Emmanuel Primo Okello, escalating, deepening internal divisions within the opposition group.
SPLA-IO’s Brigade 4 commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Bol Wek, also known locally as Majok Thalwa, told Sudans Post over the weekend that Primo and recently dismissed Governor Sarah Cleto both hail from Mboro Payam. He expressed concern that this could undermine inclusivity within the state’s leadership.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed Cleto, an appointee of the SPLM-IO, on November 8, 2024, in a decree broadcast on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). Cleto was replaced by Emmanuel Primo Okello, who currently serves as the deputy chairperson of the SPLM-IO’s standing committee at the national secretariat.
SPLM-IO insiders confirmed that the reshuffle was initiated by First Vice President Riek Machar. Dut Majokdit, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council, told Sudans Post shortly after Cleto’s removal that Machar formally requested the changes in a letter to President Kiir.
But Gen. Majok two days later issued a written order, instructing SPLA-IO forces in Western Bahr el Ghazal state’s Jur River County not to welcome the new governor to any area or the payams and bomas of the Greater Jur region.
In what appears to be a continuation of dissent over the decision, Gen. Majok on Saturday confirmed, in an interview with Sudans Post, authenticity of order that was circulating online about his order and a reporter that he still stands by his decision.
“Yes, the documents that you saw online were written by me, and I am still after what came out of my mouth that we will never allow him (Primo) to come to the county. Dr. Riek must nominate another person from other payams of Jur River County because it shouldn’t be Mvolo County that can be the governor all the time,” he said.
The commander clarified that his opposition is not directed at Dr. Riek Machar or Sarah Cleto but at promoting inclusivity in state leadership.
“I don’t have any problem with Sarah Cleto and with Dr. Riek, who is our leader, but they must work for the best interest of the people. She (Sarah Cleto) served the state since 2021, and it is now time for another person from another county to come and also try their best in bringing our entire state together, and this is what we stand for up to now,” he added.
SPLA-IO spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel dismissed the commander’s reiteration as baseless and emphasized the separation of the group’s military and political wings. Lam in an interview with Sudans Post underscored that governors hold no authority over the armed forces.
“The SPLM-IO has already separated the political wing from the military wing. No Governor has command over our forces, but what they can do, being the head of security in the state, they can just make sure to monitor the security situation and advise the forces within their territory accordingly, but they cannot command our forces to do anything,” Lam said.
He also stressed that opposition forces respect decrees issued by the president and recommendations from SPLM-IO leadership.
“So, I don’t think any commander on the ground will be against any changes that come from the commanding chief, because Sarah Cleto was removed through a decree and through also a recommendation from our commanding chief. The decree came from the President, so there is nobody in his rightful mind who will stop any decree that is already being activated by the President,” he added.
The continued rejection by Thalwa underscores ongoing tensions within the SPLM-IO regarding representation in state appointments. Analysts warn that such disputes could destabilize efforts to consolidate peace in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
