South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) on Wednesday appointed Stephen Par Kuol, as the interim chairman of the party in the absence of First Vice President Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest in Juba.
Speaking at a consultative meeting attended by some party members at Palm Africa Hotel, Par said the decision was made by members of the National Liberation Council (NLC), to stabilize the opposition party amid political tensions in the aftermath of deadly clashes in Nasir, between the White Army militia and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) since March 4, 2025.
Par said he will serve as the acting leader of the SPLM-IO until the release of Machar, the legitimate chairman of the party.
The NLC also named Losuba Ludoru Wongo, the National Minister Federal Affairs as Deputy Chairperson, replacing Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, who recently fled to exile.
Former National Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Agok Makur Kur, was appointed as Secretary General, taking over from Regina Joseph Kaba.
“As we move forward, the SPLM-IO remains resolute in our mission to advocate for the rights and dignity of all South Sudanese and to chart a future rooted in peace, unity, and reconciliation,” said Par.
Par defended the legitimacy of the appointments, affirming that the decision aligns with the party’s internal laws and procedures.
“The National Liberation Council, which made this decision, is the second highest organ of the party, functioning between conventions. It is our law-making body, and thus, the resolution is both legitimate and constitutional,” he explained.
Par also addressed claims that his election could be viewed as a coup against the incarcerated Machar.
“Whether this is perceived as a coup or not, our deliberations have followed due process. The SPLM-IO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), both in letter and in spirit. We believe this agreement is the sole pathway to lasting peace,” he said.
In addition, the NLC demanded for the immediate release of Machar, and reiterated that the interim leadership will serve in an interim capacity until he resumes his duties.
The former SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, last week suspended several top SPLM-IO officials, including Stephen Par Kuol, accusing them of working with the SPLM party under President Salva Kiir to replace Machar and weaken the party.
Those suspended include Kuol, the National Minister of Peacebuilding and member of the party’s Political Bureau, Agok Makur Kur, National Liberation Council member and Ding Lam, and Luke Thompson Thoan.
Oyet alleged that these individuals were mobilising support to replace Dr Machar in violation of the R-ARCSS and party unity.
Meanwhile, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel the spokesperson of the armed wing of the party SPLA-IO said they don’t support the decision to appoint the interim leadership of their party.
“The SPLA-IO would like to inform the public, IGAD, AU, UN and the international community that it is not part and parcel of the betrayers in Juba led by Stephen Par Kuol. The SPLA-IO is under the full command and control of Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and in his absence, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino is in charge,” Gabriel said in a statement on Wednesday.
He revealed that the SPLA-IO Acting Chief of General Staff, Peter Thok Chuol has directed all sector and division commanders to distance themselves from the SPLM-IO leadership under Kuol.
