Machar, Pagan officially sacked from SPLM party

JUBA – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) faction led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday endorsed the dismissal of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and opposition leader Pagan Amum from the party.

This comes after a meeting of the party’s political bureau last month proposed the removal of the two leaders from the group, saying that they have formed parties of their own.

Machar, who was the first deputy chairperson, is the leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) faction, while Pagan Amum, who was the secretary-general before outbreak of war in 2013, is the leader of the Real SPLM.

In a meeting on Monday, the National Liberation Council endorsed the replacement from their position and dismissal from the group. Machar was replaced by Vice President James Wani Igga, while Daniel Awet Akot and Kuol Manyang Juuk would serve as deputy chairs.

Peter Lam Both, the interim secretary-general, was confirmed as the party’s secretary general replacing Pagan Amum, while Akol Paul Kordit and Tulio Odongi were appointed as deputies for the Secretary-General.

“Sacking of Dr. Machar is confirmed by the appointment of the first deputy chairman which was a position held by Riek Machar,” Kuol Atem Bol, SPLM’s National Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization said during a press conference at Freedom Hall following the meeting.

So, now, it is Comrade James Wani Igga as the first deputy chairman plus two others,” Atem added.