SPLM-IO lambasts Onyoti over ‘enemy of peace’ claims against Oyet

JUBA — South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), on Wednesday rejected and condemned remarks by a senior government minister who questioned the loyalty of its acting leader to detained chief Riek Machar.

The group further dismissed accusations that its leadership is undermining the national peace process, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

The response followed public statements by minister of animal resources & fisheries, Onyoti Adigo Nyikec, who accused acting SPLM-IO chairman Nathaniel Oyet of undermining peace, declaring war on the government, and acting without Machar’s mandate.

Onyoti’s comments specifically cast doubt on Oyet’s loyalty to the detained opposition leader.

In a statement today, the SPLM/A-IO said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the provocative and false statements made by the regime-affiliated Minister of Animal Resources & Fisheries and the Chairman of the Democratic Change (DC) party, Mr. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec.”

The movement stated that Onyoti’s claims — which included allegations that Oyet had formed a new faction, undermined Machar, and acted independently of the party’s central leadership — were “baseless allegations” aimed at “sow[ing] division within our ranks and mislead[ing] the public.”

“We wish to state for the record that the SPLM/A-IO remains intact, strong, and resolute. Our leadership is embodied by H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, and Rt. Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Peirino is acting on his behalf, exercising his full authority,” the statement said.

The SPLM-IO clarified that Oyet’s current role is a direct result of Machar’s continued detention in Juba, which the party described as “illegal and arbitrary.” It rejected any suggestion that Oyet was acting against or separate from Machar’s established authority.

“This is a direct consequence of Dr. Machar’s continued illegal and arbitrary detention in Juba by the regime since March 26, 2025. The accusations that Rt. Hon. Oyet has formed a faction or declared war are entirely false and a complete inversion of reality,” the movement stated.

Addressing Onyoti’s assertion that a rival group led by Stephen Par Kuol represents Machar’s interests, the SPLM-IO argued the claim was misleading and amounted to a gross misrepresentation of the opposition leader’s actual position.

“Furthermore, Mr. Nyikwec’s assertion that the ‘De-Link’ group led by Stephen Par Kuol represents the interests of H.E. Dr. Machar and the SPLM/A-IO is misleading,” the statement said.

“This faction, which broke from the movement and has been suspended for gross violations of SPLM/A-IO principles, holds no legitimacy and does not reflect the collective will of our leadership or membership,” it added.

The SPLM-IO reiterated its formal commitment to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), specifically rejecting Onyoti’s portrayal of Oyet as an “enemy of peace.”

“The SPLM/A-IO has consistently emphasized its commitment to the R-ARCSS and the protection of civilian populations. The regime is the aggressor, relentlessly violating the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” the statement said.

The opposition accused government forces of attacking assembly areas, cantonment sites, and civilian locations, asserting that its own forces were acting strictly in self-defence.

“Our gallant forces are merely exercising their legitimate right to self-defense in response to these unprovoked attacks, not inciting conflict,” the party said.

The SPLM-IO also warned Onyoti against what it described as interference in its internal affairs, rejecting his public commentary regarding the party’s leadership structure and internal hierarchy.

“Finally, we advise the Chairman of the DC Party to familiarize himself with the basic principles of political conduct, chief among them being non-interference in the internal affairs of other political parties,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by Puok Both Baluang, the acting press secretary in the office of the of the first vice president and leader of the main armed opposition group.