Machar aide asks SPLM-IG for evidence to proof defense ministry dispute was resolved

JUBA, JUNE 25, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A senior member of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO is demanding that ruling SPLM-IG provide evidence to proof that the dispute over the defense ministry portfolio is resolved.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit in a presidential decree in early March dismissed Angelina Teny as minister of defense.

The president in another decree swapped the ministry of defense – which was allocated to the SPLM-IO based on an arrangement per the revitalized peace agreement – with the ministry of interior which belonged to the SPLM-IG.

He said that the defense ministry would now be headed by a member of his party, while the SPLM-IO will select an official for the ministry of interior.

The changes angered the main armed opposition SPLM-IO which demanded an IGAD intervention and revoking of the presidential decrees. They said the deal violated the revitalized peace agreement which does not give Kiir to remove officials from other parties.

Last week, information minister and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said the disagreement between the SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG over the matter had been resolved by during a meeting between Kiir and Machar.

“What we know is that we are waiting for the minister of interior to be appointed and deputy minister of defense is appointed and deputy minister of interior to be relieved and another minister to be appointed in his place,” Makuei said on Friday following a cabinet meeting.

“This is what I know, and if there is anything as such, I have no knowledge about it and we will see until it is brought to us officially, we don’t react to what happened on social media,” the senior government official further said.

But in a tweet, the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of First Vice President and SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Puok Both Baluang said that there was no consensus reached over the matter and challenged the SPLM-IG to give a proof that it was resolved.

“The sole principle’s meeting that addressed the unilateral Decree & Order took place on 10/3/2023. There was no consensus at the end of the meeting,” he said.

“May the SPLM-IG demonstrate when the agreement was reached because the burden of proof rests with the party making the statement,” he added.