The announcement, made during a ceremony at the SPLM Unity State Secretariat on Thursday, also saw the swearing-in of the SPLM Women Caucus in the state parliament, in what marked a notable expansion of the party’s influence in the region ahead of the 2026 elections.
The defectors, led by Kiir Deng Mok, a member of the Rubkona Local Council, pointed to internal issues within the SPLM-IO as the catalyst for their departure. Mok accused the opposition of fostering nepotism, bias, and a lack of clear direction, claiming that some SPLM-IO leaders prioritised personal and familial interests over broader national goals.
“We could no longer tolerate the humiliation and unpatriotic practices,” Mok declared, pledging allegiance to the SPLM under President Salva Kiir and Unity State Governor Justice Riek Bim Top. He framed the move as a commitment to nation-building under the SPLM’s “historical leadership.”
The defections come amid a broader trend of political realignment in Unity State. According to SPLM Unity State Secretary General Saaman Chuotyier, the appointment of Bim as SPLM state chairman has been a key factor in attracting new members.
Chuotyier noted that since Bim’s appointment, over 1,512 individuals from various opposition groups have joined the SPLM, with today’s addition of 434 marking a significant milestone. “The governor’s leadership has inspired confidence and drawn those with political ambition to our ranks,” Chuotyier said.
Governor Bim himself welcomed the new members, describing their decision as “orientated” and a step toward a unified vision for South Sudan.
“This is one of the best days for our party,” he said during the ceremony. “Our path remains concrete, and we are committed to fulfilling the objectives of the SPLM.”
The event also highlighted the swearing-in of the SPLM Women Caucus in the state parliament, a move seen as strengthening the party’s grassroots support and gender representation.
The defections reflect the ongoing leadership crisis within the SPLM-IO since the arrest and detention of Riek Machar in March. Stephen Par Kuol who serves as the Minister of Peacebuilding, has created a faction and declared himself an interim chairman in April, crippling the party further.
