By Philip Buda Ladu
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) strips off four senior members, in a state that could best be described as political tantrum.
Epitome of the shake-up emanated from rumours linking the four political victims to the opposition party leader, Dr. Riek Machar’s ouster plot.
Dr. Riek Machar, who is under house arrest, has been losing followers from both political and military wings, in defections to his main rival, President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
However, to inhibit further decay, SPLM-IO leadership took action to rid the four high-ranking cadres of their party positions, membership and appointments.
SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman and Acting Chairman, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, in an order, alleges the officials were working with the rival SPLM in Government.
The order, dated April 7, 2025, cites “subversive activities deemed as ‘serious offences’” under the party’s code of conduct.
The suspended officials are:
• Stephen Par Kuol: Suspended from his positions as a member of the Political Bureau, National Liberation Council, SPLM-IO representative to R-JMEC, party membership, and his role as National Minister of Peace Building.
• Agok Makur Kur: Suspended from his positions as a member of the Political Bureau, National Liberation Council, party membership, and his role as a National Member of Parliament.
• Ding Lam: Suspended from his positions as a member of the National Liberation Council, party membership, and his role as a National Member of Parliament under the opposition ticket.
• Luke Thompson Thoan: Suspended from his positions as a member of the National Liberation Council and party membership.
The order explicitly states that these individuals “engaged in activities in support of the SPLM-IG to create disunity in the party and abrogate the R-ARCSS by mobilizing for replacement of H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO.”
Machar’s opposition party further ruled that the suspended officials would face, yet to be constituted disciplinary committee.
“The aforementioned comrades shall appear before a disciplinary committee that shall be constituted in accordance with the basic documents of the SPLM-IO,” the Ag. Chairman’s order reads.
The suspension comes at a time of heightened political tension in the country, particularly, concerning the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
Dr. Riek Machar’s house arrest has created a power vacuum within the SPLM/A-IO.
The acting chairman, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), signed the order, which took effect immediately.
The development also raises serious questions about the stability of the SPLM/A-IO and the future of the peace agreement.
Meanwhile, the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in government is yet to react to the allegation.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the African Union’s panel of the wise, concluded a four-day working visit to Juba but the team failed to meet the house-detained opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar.
After meeting President Salva Kiir, the AU team which was on a mission to de-escalate the political tensions in Juba, had planned to engage Vice President, Riek Machar but the meeting never took place.
The AU delegation, led by former Burundian President, Domitien Ndayizeye, urged South Sudanese leaders to resolve the current political disagreement through dialogue.