![Members of SPLM-IO in Warrap State reading out a statement at the party secretariat in Kuajok, the state capital, quitting the group, on 26 April 2025. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-77.png?resize=1000%2C524&quality=80&ssl=1)
His announcement comes just a day after his release from detention by government security forces who arrested him last week as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on the SPLM-IO, raising concerns about potential government pressure tactics.
Speaking to reporters in Kuajok, the capital of Warrap State, Kuec, who is also the Speaker of the Warrap State Transitional Legislative Assembly, declared that the party’s entire membership in the region had decided to denounce the SPLM-IO and close all its offices with immediate effect.
“This letter is to notify the public that the SPLM IO in Warrap State under Cde. Chairperson RT. Hon. Kuec Deng Mayar, the speaker of Warrap State transitional legislative assembly and the entire membership have officially denounced and declared its total closure of SPLM IO offices with effects from today 26 April 2025,” Kuech said.
The circumstances of Kuec’s release remain unclear, and his swift defection has led to speculation among observers who suggest he may have faced intimidation or coercion to abandon the opposition while in detention.
The opposition official cited “power struggles” within the SPLM-IO, the alleged neglect of grassroots members by the party’s top leadership, and a lack of trust in interim leader Stephen Par Kuol as the reasons behind his decision.
“Power struggle within SPLM IO has created division, hatred and made the party to lose it direction. e.g. the emergence of the new leadership under Hon. Amb. Stephen Par Kuol and other groups which are operating in parallels. The SPLM IO party top leadership have abandoned the entire membership of the party and resorts to operate online while on exile for reason best known to them,” Kuec stated.
He specifically criticized Stephen Par Kuol, minister of peacebuilding who replaced Machar last week, asserting he lacks political credibility even in his home area of Fangak and is unfit to lead the peace transition process.
“The current SPLM IO self-claim interim leadership has no capacity to continue leading the party to peace transition, given the fact that Amb. Stephen Par Kuol doesn’t have any trust and political grounds within the SPLM IO even in his hometown (Fangak) and as such he can’t represent us,” he said.
The SPLM-IO in recent weeks has experienced increasing internal divisions and external pressure amid escalating tensions across South Sudan. Recent clashes between armed youth and both SPLA-IO and government forces in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Central Equatoria states have further strained the 2018 peace agreement intended to end years of civil war.
The government has intensified its pressure on the opposition in recent weeks, detaining several SPLM-IO officials, including Machar, and raiding party offices in various parts of the country. Saturday’s announcement in Kuajok marks the latest setback for the group’s already weakened presence in government-controlled areas.
Kuec stated that over 2,300 SPLM-IO members in Warrap State had endorsed the decision to cease operations and sever ties with the movement. It remains uncertain whether Kuec intends to join the ruling SPLM party or another political organization.
“However, this served to inform the general public that the entire membership which is two thousand three hundred and thirty-eight (2338) members of the SPLM IO in Warrap State have decided to officially declare total closure of the SPLM IO offices from State, County, Payam and Boma Secretariat with immediate effect. Therefore, this is our final decision as per now and declaration of allegiance will follow as soon as possible,” he concluded.
