South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Interim Secretary General of SPLM-IO, Agok Makur, welcomed Jacob Lado Paul, a lawmaker representing the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) in the Central Equatoria parliament, to the SPLM-IO party.
Makur encouraged Lado Paul to bring others from his former alliance to join as well.
In a press statement to the media, Agok assured Jacob that there is no tribalism within the party and that all members are equal, regardless of their assigned roles.
“We are happy to receive you among us. Here, there is no tribalism; all members are equal regardless of the assignment given,” Makur said.
He reaffirmed SPLM-IO’s commitment to peace as a cornerstone of its political agenda.
“Peace remains our top priority as a party and as a nation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Jacob Lado Paul, a lawmaker in Central Equatoria State and Chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee for Economy, Finance, and Investment in the Central Equatoria Transitional Legislative Assembly, has officially defected from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).
In a formal statement issued Friday, Lado announced his resignation from SSOA and declared his allegiance to SPLM-IO under the leadership of Hon. Stephen Par Kuol.
“Let me take this opportunity to salute my fellow citizens in the Republic of South Sudan and declare that, effective today, 16th May 2025, I tender my resignation from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA). At the same time, I join the people’s party, SPLM-IO, under the capable leadership of Hon. Stephen Par Kuol,” he said.
Lado expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided to him by the SSOA leadership, particularly acknowledging Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the current National Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and former Vice President for the Service Cluster.
“I am grateful to the leadership of SSOA under Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi, who appointed me to serve as Chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee for Economy, Finance, and Investment in the Central Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly. I served the parliament and the entire state diligently, with openness, knowledge, and experience,” he stated.
He explained that his defection was motivated by SPLM-IO’s principles and objectives, which he believes align with his own.
“My intellect guides me to serve my suffering citizens through the SPLM-IO party, whose principles of achieving permanent peace, sustainable economic growth, and improved welfare for the poor resonate with my own. The lack of clear principles and objectives in SSOA left me no option but to join SPLM-IO,” he said.
Lado further pledged his full commitment to his new political home.
“I will be committed, loyal, and will contribute effectively to the success and prosperity of SPLM-IO. If given the opportunity, I will establish an SPLM-IO office in Lainya County, where there is currently none,” he added.
