By Philip Buda Ladu and Willian Maduok
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) has condemned an attack on the residence of former Western Equatoria Governor, Lt-Gen Alfred Futuyo Karaba, describing it as an assassination attempt.
The SPLM-IO also alleges attacks on other members in Yambio, Tombura, and Nagero Counties, blaming elements of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
“The SPLM-IO condemns the assassination attempt on the life of the Governor of Western Equatoria State and the lives of members of his family at his official residence, and other SPLM-IO members in Yambio, Tombura and Najjero Counties by the elements of the SSPDF,” partly read a communique of SPLM-IO Political Bureau, chaired by Dr. Riek Machar.
The incidents coincide with escalating tensions following President Salva Kiir’s dismissal of both Gen. Karaba and the Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel Deng, a move the SPLM-IO rejects.
The opposition party argues the dismissals violate the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), specifically Article 1.13, which governs the removal and replacement of officials. It is now demanding the immediate reinstatement of both officials.
They declared the President’s actions a breach of the R-ARCSS and raised concerns about ongoing atrocities against civilians and security arrangement violations in Koburi Bou, Nagero County (Western Equatoria State) and Ngap, Jur River County (Western Bahr El Ghazal State), also allegedly perpetrated by SSPDF elements.
The SPLM-IO is also calling for the unconditional release of the Security Advisor of the Government of Western Bahr El Ghazal State and the Commissioner of Jur River County.
The SPLM-IO has called on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate these alleged violations and hold perpetrators accountable.
The main opposition party urged President Kiir to respect the R-ARCSS, warning that “persistent violations through unilateral decisions and decrees threaten the very existence of the Agreement.”
The SPLM-IO further alleges ongoing military operations by the SSPDF in Koburi Bou, Najjero County, and Ngap, Jur River County, resulting in atrocities against civilians.
In a separate statement Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO spokesperson, further claimed that SSPDF forces attacked their cantonment site in Rirangu, Western Equatoria State, on Wednesday in pursuit of Gen. Karaba.
Col. Lam said fighting was ongoing as of yesterday.
Efforts to reach SSPDF spokesperson, Maj-Gen Lul Ruai, for comment were unsuccessful.
The SPLM-IO’s strong response signals a potential escalation of tensions within the fragile unity government.
It remains to be seen whether President Kiir will respond to their demands.