SPLA-IO reaffirms loyalty to Machar, denounces factional leadership shift

JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has publicly distanced itself from a breakaway faction within its ranks, asserting that it remains under the full command of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

The statement, issued by SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel on Wednesday, comes in response to a declaration by a section of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council appointing Peace-Building Minister Stephen Par Kuol as the party’s interim Chairperson.

The factional announcement emerged amid ongoing political turmoil in South Sudan, with Machar currently under house arrest in the capital, Juba.

The dissident group named Federal Affairs Minister Losuba Wongo as Kuol’s deputy, replacing Gen. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, the First Deputy Speaker of RTNLA, who has reportedly gone into self-exile due to escalating tensions.

Agok Makur was also appointed as the Secretary General in the interim structure. However, the SPLA-IO leadership has swiftly condemned the move, labeling Kuol and his supporters as “betrayers” and urging regional and international bodies to reject the new arrangement.

In the official statement, Mr. Paul emphasized the SPLA-IO’s unwavering allegiance to Machar, stating, “The SPLA-IO would like to inform the public, IGAD, AU, UN, and the International Community that it is not part and parcel of the betrayers in Juba led by Phar Kuol. The SPLA-IO is under the full command and control of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and, in his absence, Gen. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino is in charge.”

The statement also included directives from senior SPLA-IO military officials reinforcing this stance. Acting Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Peter Thok Chuol ordered all Sector and Division Commanders to distance themselves from the factional leadership in Juba.

Similarly, Lt. Gen. Yiey Dak, Deputy General for National Security Services, instructed all personnel under his command to reject what he called “the coup leader Stephen Phar Kuol and his team of betrayers.” Both officials affirmed that the SPLA-IO security units remain loyal to Machar and Oyet.

The internal rift follows weeks of heightened political instability in South Sudan, sparked by Machar’s house arrest late last month, which his party, the SPLM-IO, claims has effectively collapsed the 2018 peace deal with President Salva Kiir’s government.

The agreement had established a fragile unity government aimed at ending the country’s devastating civil war, which killed nearly 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018. Recent clashes between forces loyal to Kiir and opposition groups, alongside Machar’s detention, have raised fears of a return to widespread conflict.