![First Vice President Riek Machar attends a meeting of Pope Francis with authorities, leaders of civil society and the diplomatic corps, in the garden of the Presidential Palace in Juba, February 3, 2023. [Photo by Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/steptodown.com550762.webp?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
JUBA — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, on Tuesday called for the unconditional release of its detained leaders and urged a return to dialogue to resolve the country’s ongoing political tensions.
Puok Both Baluang, the acting press secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and his seven co-accused facing trial in Juba.
“The movement reiterates its key demands: the immediate halt to this politically and tribally motivated trial and the immediate and unconditional release of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and his co-accused,” Baluang said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Tuesday.
Baluang also called for the release of other detained SPLM-IO members, including the party’s Lakes State chairperson and deputy governor, Dr. Isaiah Akol, as well as the Lakes State minister of animal resources and fisheries, Hon. Gai Magok.
He further appealed for the release of members of Dr. Riek Machar’s security team, namely Brig. Gen. Mark Didi Yoah, Brig. Gen. Par Dang Yuot, Brig. Gen. Kuok Dang Yiel, Maj. Hoth Chiok, and First Lt. Bantor Tuor.
Baluang said the military officers and police politicians were arbitrarily arrested in March 2025 and have since been excluded from both previous releases of detainees and the ongoing court proceedings.
“The SPLM/A-IO reaffirms its resolute stance and calls upon the international community, regional guarantors, and the people of South Sudan to recognize these proceedings for what they truly are,” he said.
He called on the government to embrace inclusive dialogue, to be held at a neutral venue under regional and international mediation, as a pathway to achieving genuine and lasting peace.
“The SPLM/A-IO remains firmly committed to the cause of peace, justice, and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement but will not stand silently by while judicial mechanisms are subverted for political persecution.”
He claimed that the Special Court trying Dr. Riek Machar and his seven co-accused had been weaponized to undermine the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
He further alleged that the court was established to “settle political scores” under the guise of judicial proceedings, arguing that it undermines ongoing efforts toward national unity and sustainable peace while prolonging the suffering of the South Sudanese.
“The SPLM/A-IO continues to vigorously reject the legitimacy of the so-called “Special Court on the Incident of Nasir,” he said.
“The movement views these proceedings not as an instrument of justice but as an orchestrated political witch hunt. The weaponization of judicial institutions by the SPLM-IG to target political opponents directly threatens the peace process and violates the core spirit of the Revitalized Agreement.”
