A former member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) representing Nasir County and a member of the Pan-African Parliament who resigned both roles last week has launched a new rebel outfit- South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SSPLM).
Dei Tut Weang Khor, who said he quit because of the SSPDF and Ugandan Air Force bombing civilians in his constituency, political repression, and arbitrary arrests of opposition politicians, among others, urged all South Sudanese youths to join together and remove the dictatorship of President Salva Kiir and his corrupt regime.
“I stand before you today with a heavy heart, but also with great hope. I greet you in the name of our beloved nation, the Republic of South Sudan, and honor of our martyrs — the brave sons and daughters who sacrificed everything so that our people may live in freedom and dignity,” his declaration reads in part. “Sadly, the dream for which they paid the ultimate price has been hijacked by tyranny, corruption, and brutality. Today, our nation bleeds under the oppressive rule of the SPLM-IG regime, led by President Salva Kiir and his son-in-law, Dr. Benjamin Bol.”
“Their leadership has turned our independence into a nightmare of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and unspeakable human suffering,” the declaration added.
Tut contends that Kiir’s regime has betrayed the trust of the people, arrested peace partners, silenced dissenting voices, and used the wealth of the nation to destroy the country and to hire foreign armies to wage war against citizens.
“The arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his allies by President Kiir shattered the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict (R-ARCSS), closing the door on any meaningful peace efforts. Today, Juba is no longer the heart of a free nation. It has become a prison — a detention center where senior officials, politicians, and ordinary citizens are held captive. No one is safe under this government. The atrocities committed against innocent children, women, the elderly, and the sick are beyond words,” Tut declared. “They have used chemicals to burn our people alive. They have labeled civilians as rebels simply for their ethnic identity. Decisions of who lives or dies are no longer made by South Sudanese leaders but are dictated by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, executed by President Kiir’s corrupt generals and governors.”
He said Kiir has divided the people, looted resources, turned South Sudan into a laughing stock in the eyes of the world, while the people suffer in silence, and yet a few enjoy wealth and power.
“Enough is enough! We, the concerned and patriotic sons and daughters of South Sudan, have gathered ourselves with one voice and one purpose to reclaim our nation, rescue our people, end this suffering and to restore the dignity, freedom, and hope of South Sudan,” he stated “Today (Sunday), we officially announce the formation of a new movement—The South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SSPLM). The SSPLM will not serve personal interests or tribal agendas. We stand for the protection of human rights and dignity for every South Sudanese and democracy, the rule of law, and social justice.”
“We stand for good governance, transparency, and accountability, building strong institutions that serve the people, and not the rulers, and uniting all South Sudanese to rebuild our broken nation,” Tut added.
He promised to work with like-minded opposition groups, civil society, faith leaders, youth, women, and the international community to bring peace and calm to South Sudan.
“Let it be known to all, both friend and foe, that we are no longer silent, we are no longer afraid, we are no longer divided. Our people have suffered too long,” Tut stated. “The blood of our martyrs cries out for justice. The voices of our widows, orphans, and displaced people call out for freedom. And today, we respond with this solemn commitment. In the coming days, the SSPLM will release a full political program outlining our vision, mission, and steps for action.”