SPLM-IO downplays mass defections  in Warrap State

By Awan Achiek

The opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has downplayed the recent defection of its members in Warrap State.

Chaguor Ater Bol, a lawmaker representing Tonj East County of Warrap State in the National Legislative Assembly claimed that none of the 150 defectors have any influence in the politics of Warrap State.

“On 28 March 2024, we were surprised to see the list carrying the names of 150 members of the SPLM-IO Warrap State Caucus declaring their defection from the SPLM-IO and then according to their declaration to join the SPLM-IG under the group styled as G11,” Ater said during a press conference on Tuesday in Juba.

Ater claimed that only 8 members were confirmed out of 150 to have defected and the rest of the names on the list were added without their consent, adding that their signatures were forged.

“However, out of 150 members, 8 members are now confirmed to have defected and the rest of the members disputed the allegation on the ground that they were not part of a conspiracy to defect but their names were added without their consent and their signatures were forged,” Ater said.

He said the SPLM-IO is a democratic and voluntary political organization which is open for anyone interested in its vision and mission to join.

“If they decided to leave then they are free to leave as they joined SPLM-IO voluntarily in the first place. We, therefore, appreciate their decisions as part of their democratic rights to leave SPLM-IO voluntarily,” Ater said.

On 28 March 2024, in Warrap State, over 150 people including those in State offices under Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLM-IO pledged allegiance to the SPLM led by President Salva Kiir.

The group led by Dr. Peter Paduol Mangong Paduol,  the former Warrap State minister of local government and law enforcement agencies claimed that the SPLM-IO is not offering any solutions to the prevailing challenges facing the country.