Oyet accuses the government of violating the peace agreement, attacking opposition positions and using court proceedings against detained opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar to weaken the movement.
In a statement on Monday, Oyet said his faction has refused to surrender and would continue fighting, warning the government that its efforts to neutralize the movement would fail.
“We have refused to surrender and decided to resist and fight back and we shall continue to fight back. You will never get away with it,” he said.
He further alleged that government forces had attacked SPLM-IO cantonments, training centres and villages before declaring the movement’s forces rebels, an allegation that could not be independently verified.
The statement comes amid deepening divisions within the SPLM/A-IO following Machar’s detention in March 2025, with rival factions disputing the movement’s leadership and direction.
On Monday, Machar confirmed Regina Joseph Kaba as the movement’s acting chairperson while insisting that she did not command the White Army.
Oyet, meanwhile, has asserted his own leadership of the movement, insisting he remains the legitimate acting chairperson.
Machar is currently being prosecuted alongside seven co-accused over their alleged roles in the March 2025 attack on an army garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in which more than 200 soldiers, including Maj. Gen. Majur Dak, were reportedly killed.
Machar, who served as first vice president in the transitional government, has denied commanding the White Army or directing the attack.
Oyet accused the Juba regime of weaponising the court proceedings to weaken the opposition leadership, saying the process was being used against both Machar and himself. He also claimed authorities were using SPLM-IO members against the movement.
Oyet said his group remained committed to what he described as liberating the country and freeing political prisoners, including those who disagreed with its decisions.
He urged SPLM-IO members, supporters and civilians to remain calm and steadfast, saying the movement was “closer to victory.”
The government has not responded to Oyet’s latest allegations and threats.
