In a statement dated April 29, 2026, Par, who described himself as Interim Chairperson of the SPLM-IO Palm Africa faction, said he was acting under powers granted by the SPLM-IO constitution and the peace agreement.
“I, Comrade Stephen Par Kuol, do hereby instruct the following SPLM(IO) members who have been handpicked by Governor Jacob Dollar of Upper Nile… not to take oath before him as scheduled,” Par said in the order.
The directive targeted selected members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) who were recently appointed to the state assembly. Those named were Stephen Mathor Monyjok, Riek Muon Deng, Koang Tharliath Thoch, Yien Gach Ruei and Akeer Kueth Thon.
Par accused Governor Dollar of making the selections in “blatant violation” of provisions of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), suggesting the appointments did not follow agreed consultation procedures under the transitional power-sharing deal.
Koang Tharliath Thoch had been appointed Deputy Speaker in the latest reshuffle, while Akeer Kueth Thon was named a member of parliament in the state legislature.
Par also warned of consequences for any nominee who disobeys the order.
“These comrades are expressly informed that whoever takes oath before Governor Jacob Dollar in defiance of this instruction will be subjected to disciplinary procedure in accordance with our constitution 2015, internal regulation and the SPLM/A (IO) Code of Conduct,” he said.
The order followed Wednesday’s presidential decrees that reshaped the composition of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly. The changes removed several officeholders and lawmakers from the ruling party
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), SPLM-IO and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
Those revoked included former Speaker Philip Akol Amum and Deputy Speaker Pal Ruach Doap, along with several lawmakers.
New appointments named Benansio Gwang Adwok as Speaker and Koang Tharjiath Thoch as Deputy Speaker, alongside other legislators representing the peace partners.
