Machar’s deputy condemns ‘genocidal utterances’ by Peter Lam Both

JUBA, MARCH 21, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has condemned claims by SPLM Secretary General Peter Lam Both that First Vice President Riek Machar has declared war against the Dinka people.

Lam while speaking to members of the SPLM party in Warrap state on Sunday claimed that Machar who is the leader of the SPLM-IO has declared war against the Dinka people, something he said Machar is popular for among the Nuer Community which he also accused of supporting anyone fighting the Dinka.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, SPLM-IO deputy chairperson and first deputy chair of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) Oyet Nathaniel Pierino condemned the statement and said that the statements were intended.

“I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the growing level of hate speeches and tribal incitement by some senior members of SPLM Party, latest being genocidal utterances by the Secretary General of SPLM, Peter Lam Both,” Nathaniel said.

“It is our belief that such utterances are never slips of the tongue but a calculated statements and official policy of a group Peter Lam Both represents. Such statements in the near past and now were used by political and military elements affiliated to SPLM to divide and incite violence against certain groups and communities in South Sudan,” he added.

The senior opposition official and top legislator further accused senior officials of the ruling SPLM faction including Peter Lam Both of using divide and rule policy to target certain ethnic communities in the world’s youngest country.

“The persistent and rampant inter communal violence in the country has been a political tool and policy objective of elements such as Peter Lam Both and the group to target, kill, maim, deprive and displace a community under target since 2012. As a result, over 500,000 lives were lost and over 3 million were displaced in and outside South Sudan,” he said.

“We note with grave concern and hold perpetrators of such statements responsible for violence against communities and tearing down the unity of South Sudan and frustrating efforts to reconcile our citizens,” he added.

He further called “upon the parties to the Agreement, other stakeholders and guarantors to take note of such violations of the Peace Agreement particularly the Permanent Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities and hold Peter Lam Both to account.”