Mvolo County Commissioner Rubben Amaai Majok has defected from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) to rejoin the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) under President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Announcing his resignation at a press briefing in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, Commissioner Majok declared his departure from the SPLM-IO effective immediately, framing his move as a rejection of the opposition’s leadership.
“I have officially resigned from the SPLM-IO Interim Leadership under Stephen Par as of today,” Majok said. “I have returned to the mother party of the Republic of South Sudan—the SPLM.”
His defection comes amid escalating political tensions, with Majok launching a scathing attack on his former party. “The SPLM-IO is a confused, problematic, and tribalistic party,” he alleged, pledging to align his office fully with the SPLM’s policies.
It remains unclear if he will be removed from his position since the peace deal stipulates that the role should be filled by the SPLM-IO.
Endorsement from State Leadership
The defection was endorsed by Western Equatoria State’s Deputy Governor and Acting Governor, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, who portrayed the defection as a strategic gain for the ruling party.
“You have made the right decision,” Rimbasa told Majok. “Go and mobilize others to join the SPLM. This is the party that fought for independence, brought liberty, and has a clear mission for South Sudan.”
SPLM State Secretary Manase Doboyi revealed that Majok’s switch is part of a broader pattern of opposition members defecting to the ruling party.
“Yesterday in Nzara County, we received new members from the SPLM-IO. Nzara is now fully SPLM, and last week, all SPLM-IO members in Mvolo County joined us,” Doboyi claimed. “Western Equatoria is turning red.”
This marks the second high-profile defection in the state this year. On April 17, 2025, SPLA-IO Sector 6 Commander Major General Edward Razig Joseph defected to the SPLM alongside several soldiers, framing the move as a step toward peace.
The defections come against a backdrop of stalled peace efforts.
President Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar signed a revitalized peace agreement in 2018, ending a brutal five-year civil war that claimed an estimated 400,000 lives.
However, implementation has largely stalled since First Vice President Machar was placed under house arrest in Juba on March 26, 2025. Despite the agreement, sporadic clashes continue, displacing civilians and fueling fears of a return to full-scale conflict.