LEER—At least four people have been reportedly killed and three others wounded in clashes between rival factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Adok Payam, Leer County, Unity State, according to opposition military officials.
The fighting reportedly broke out last Friday between forces loyal to rival acting SPLM-IO leaders Oyet Nathaniel Pierino and Regina Joseph Kaba.
James Yoach Bading, the SPLM-IO military commissioner for Leer County aligned with Oyet’s faction, told Sudans Post that one person was killed on his side, while three others were killed and three wounded from Regina’s faction.
Bading accused forces loyal to Regina of initiating the attack, alleging that Regina’s forces emerged from a river area where they have reportedly stayed for about a month before engaging his forces.
He claimed three people from Regina’s faction were found dead at the scene, while the wounded were captured and taken to Leer County Hospital for medical treatment.
“We recorded one person killed on our side, while three people were killed from Regina Joseph’s group. Three others from their side were also wounded,” Bading said.
He added that his forces have arrested some members of Regina’s faction during the fighting but did not disclose how many people were detained.
Dhoal Koryom Lingling, the SPLM-IO military governor, also confirmed that fighting had erupted between forces aligned with the rival camps.
“The fighting erupted among ourselves as SPLA-IO between former SPLM IO acting chairman Oyet Nathaniel and the person who was given a position of acting chair of SPLM-IO, Regina Joseph,” he said.
The latest clashes come days after detained leader Dr. Riek Machar appeared to acknowledge Regina Kaba as acting chairperson, further deepening the leadership crisis within the SPLM-IO since the arrest and detention of Dr Machar in March 2025.
Oyet, who served as the deputy chairman, assumed the role of acting chairman and commander-in-chief following Machar’s detention. However, the leadership dispute escalated on August 31, 2026, when the SPLM/A-IO Political Bureau appointed Regina Joseph Kaba, former secretary-general, as acting chairperson.
The appointment was subsequently endorsed by the SPLM/A-IO military command on September 3, further widening divisions within the opposition movement.
Oyet rejected the leadership changes and maintained that he remained the legitimate acting chairman. He also issued suspension orders against Regina and several other senior officials, accusing them of undermining the movement’s leadership structures.
Regina rejected Oyet’s decision and issued a counter-order suspending him from his positions, leaving the movement divided between rival political and military structures.
The dispute took another turn on November 2 when Machar, speaking during the 126th session of his trial before the Special Court in Juba, referred to Regina as the person currently serving as acting chairperson of the SPLM-IO.
Machar’s remarks were seen as an endorsement of Regina’s position, although Oyet has continued to contest her authority.
The leadership dispute has spilled into armed confrontations in Leer County, Machar’s home area.
On October 14, rival SPLM-IO forces clashed in Rupkong and Bow payams, with the two sides giving conflicting casualty figures. The fighting reportedly left at least 10 people dead and eight others wounded, according to local military officials.
