SPLM-IO Denies Abandoning Peace Deal, Claims Members Fled Juba Over Safety Concerns

By Staff Reporter | Published: 4 hours ago

Opposition Rejects Government Claims of Desertion

The SPLM-IO has strongly denied claims that its members abandoned South Sudan’s unity government, stating they fled Juba due to fears of persecution by security forces.

In March, Information Minister Michael Makuei alleged that senior SPLM-IO officials, including deputy chairperson Oyet Nathaniel, fled to Uganda and other undisclosed locations within South Sudan to avoid arrest. Among those named were Gen. Yiey Dak, Gen. Wilson Walebe, and Minister Pal Mai Deng.

“Baseless Propaganda” Says SPLM-IO

Pal Mai Deng, Chairperson of SPLM-IO’s National Committee for Information and Communication, dismissed the government’s narrative as “baseless and cheap propaganda.”

“The narrative that those who left Juba due to the fear of ongoing persecution and crackdown by Security organs, and for their own safety and security, have walked out of the R-TGoNU is baseless,” Mai stated.

The opposition group accused the government of attempting to undermine the Revitalized Peace Agreement by appointing SPLM-IG members to positions reserved for SPLM-IO under the power-sharing deal.

Commitment to Peace Agreement

The SPLM-IO reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the peace deal and called for:

• Unconditional release of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar
• Release of other political and military detainees
• Withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Sudan

Internal Divisions Surface

The party faces internal challenges after a faction appointed Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol as interim leader until Machar’s release from house arrest. Key figures including Angelina Teny and Martin Abucha were notably absent from this meeting.

Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel condemned the interim leadership appointment, urging peace agreement guarantors to protect the pact from being undermined.

Deteriorating Security Situation

South Sudan’s security situation has worsened since February 2025, with violence erupting in multiple regions. The United Nations has warned the country is “on the brink of another civil war.”