SPLA-IO ‘expelled’ from Rubkuai in Mayendit County  

JUBA – The main armed opposition group in South Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO), claims it has been expelled from Rubkuai Payam in Mayendit County by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

SPLM-IO Chairperson in Mayendit County Gattuor Chakuoth told Sudans Post on Thursday that he was ordered to leave Rubkuai along with his forces two weeks ago and departed yesterday to avoid clashes.

“For two weeks ago, the County Commissioner approached me and asked me to leave Rubkuai Payam together with my forces. Yesterday, the Commissioner came again and told me that I must leave the area,” he said.

“In order to avoid fighting, we decided to leave Rubkuai and have gone with my forces to a place called Mirnyal which was our base before the signing of the revitalized peace agreement and this move is to preserve peace,” he added.

He called the move a violation of the 2018 peace agreement and warned of resistance if further action is taken against them.

“This is absolutely a violation of the agreement,” Chakuoth said. “Any decision by the SPLM and the SSPDF to come to where we have moved to will be resisted.”

However, Mayendit County Commissioner Gatluak Nyany denied expelling the opposition politicians, stating only their soldiers were asked to return to their base due to receding floods.

He refuted claims of Governor’s planned visit triggering the expulsion.

“We have not expelled the politicians,” Nyany said. “It is only their forces who have been asked to go back to their base because the floods in that area have gone for good and there is no reason for them to continue to stay here.”

SPLA-IO Sector Two Spokesperson Maj. Kerbino Yai Pazale expressed concern about the incident, linking it to a potential visit by the governor to southern Unity State. He urged both parties to respect the peace agreement.

“I have heard that the governor is planning to travel to Leer and Adok. This is the reason for them (SPLM) to displace our forces from the area,” Maj. Pazale said.

“We are very concerned about these trips from the governor that usually ends up in violent. We urge our parties to respect the peace agreement so that peace and security is protected in our state,” he added.

This development follows recent clashes in Unity State and the expulsion of senior SPLA-IO commanders from the capital Bentiu, both of which the opposition group considers violations of the peace agreement.

The situation raises concerns about the fragile peace process in South Sudan.