SPLM-IO says ousted Western Equatoria governor attacked, forced out of Yambio

JUBA – South Sudan’s main opposition group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has accused an armed group linked to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of attacking ousted Western Equatoria Governor Alfred Futuyo at his residence in Yambio, forcing him to flee the state capital.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, SPLM-IO spokesman and minister of water resources and irrigation, Pal Mai Deng, said Futuyo’s security guards repelled the attack, ensuring his initial safety. However, Deng added, Futuyo was ultimately forced to withdraw from Yambio due to the escalating security situation.

“Following the announcement of the unilateral removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba of Western Equatoria State, an unidentified armed group linked to the SSPDF attacked Governor Futuyo at his official residence in Yambio,” Deng said. “The security guards of the Governor repulsed the attackers, and the Governor is safe but forced out of Yambio town.”

Futuyo, a senior SPLM-IO figure from Western Equatoria state, was removed from office on Monday in a series of presidential decrees issued by President Salva Kiir. The decrees also dismissed Vice President James Wani Igga and other senior officials.

The SPLM-IO swiftly rejected the move, calling it a violation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The agreement, the SPLM-IO argues, requires consultations between signatory parties before dismissals of their representatives in government.

Residents of Yambio, the state capital, reported hearing heavy gunfire near the governor’s residence and the State Secretariat on Monday night, with security forces restricting movement in the town, according to reports received by Sudans Post.

“There were heavy gunshots near the State House, and the situation was very tense,” a resident of Hai Naduru told Sudans Post on Monday. Another resident in the Pozuo area reported that soldiers were patrolling the streets, limiting movement.

In contrast, some community members in Tambura County welcomed the governor’s removal, with celebrations reported in Source Yubu. “We are happy about the president’s decision,” a local resident said. “Futuyo’s leadership was divisive.”

The SPLM-IO also reported an attack on a local youth leader in Tambura, a region that has experienced periodic ethnic and political violence.

“In another development in Tombura, Angelo Davide, the Azande youth leader was attacked at 1:00 AM at his home at Nabanga along Tombura Dingimo road by SSPDF forces,” the SPLM-IO statement said. “His home was burned down. He was forced to take cover in the forest.”

There was no immediate comment from the SSPDF or government authorities regarding these allegations.

The SPLM-IO said its Political Bureau would convene to discuss the dismissal of Futuyo and National Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng, along with the security situation in Tambura and Nagero counties.

“The SPLM(IO) Political Bureau shall meet today to discuss the unilateral removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba and the Minister of Health, Hon. Yolanda Awel, and the looming crisis in Tombura and Najero counties,” the statement said.

The statement further reiterated the group’s “commitment to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS (Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan) in letter and spirit.”