The headquarters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Malakal has been confiscated by the Upper Nile state authorities and handed over to the Agwelek forces, according to a senior SPLM-IO official.
Michael John Jock, secretary-general of the SPLM-IO under First Vice President Riek Machar in Upper Nile state, told Radio Tamazuj that the headquarters—owned by the party since July 2023—was seized on Monday under the directive of Upper Nile state security advisor El Tayib Ajak.
“The SPLM party came with an order from security adviser El Tayib Ajak and gave it to Maj. Gen Paromi Angui to take over the building. Forces of Agwelek stationed at the University of Upper Nile were ordered to break into the headquarters and hand it over to the Agwelek militia,” Jock said.
Maj. Gen. Paromi Angui is deputy commander of the Agwelek forces under Gen. Johnson Olony. The Agwelek group is now aligned with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) after Olony abandoned the rebellion and returned to Juba in May 2023.
Jock said the SPLM-IO headquarters is located in the Hai El-Rai El-Masery neighborhood, near the University of Upper Nile hostels and an orphanage.
When asked whether the office was active before the seizure, Jock said the headquarters had been functioning until it was closed following incidents in Nasir that led to increased insecurity. Control of the building was later assumed by a breakaway SPLM-IO faction led by Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, he added.
“One of our former colleagues, Muzamil Ojwok, who is now the state minister of livestock and fisheries, remained at the headquarters after switching allegiance to the SPLM-IO faction of Stephen Par. They took over responsibilities and continued party activities under their faction,” he said.
Jock added that the building has now been confiscated from even that faction, despite its alignment with the ruling SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir.
The confiscation comes amid rising political tensions, a faltering peace process, and growing divisions within the SPLM-IO.
SPLM Denies Involvement
Jago Nyawela, acting chairperson of the ruling SPLM party in Upper Nile, denied the SPLM was involved in the seizure.
“The accusation is untrue. The SPLM did not confiscate the building. Our work as the SPLM secretariat in the state is political, not military. The SPLM is not responsible for the state army,” Nyawela said.
He added that no one from the SPLM-IO informed the SPLM about the alleged seizure.
SPLM-IO Faction Confirms Occupation
Muzamil Ojwok, interim chairperson of the SPLM-IO under Stephen Par Kuol’s leadership, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that a senior SSPDF officer from Division 2 is currently occupying the premises.
“The headquarters is being occupied by a senior military officer who returned from operations and moved in. When we inquired, authorities said they are looking for another place for him to relocate to,” Ojwok said.
Asked why the army chose to occupy the SPLM-IO headquarters, Ojwok said, “They entered without any official authorization. I think they just admired the place. But the authorities promised to find another location for the senior officer and his forces.”
On why his faction had not issued a statement condemning the seizure, Ojwok, who is also the state minister of livestock and fisheries, said they opted to engage with state authorities instead.
“The SPLM-IO peace wing leadership in Juba has also been informed, and we believe a solution will be found. The state governor is aware and said the senior officer entered without authorization,” he said.
For his part, State Security Advisor Gen. El Tayib Okuoch Ajak said the state government was unaware of the incident and has instructed the forces occupying the SPLM-IO headquarters to vacate it within 72 hours.
“The forces have now been asked to find an alternative location, and the SPLM-IO state chairman came to me and informed me about the situation. So, what happened is unacceptable because the headquarters belongs to an SPLM-IO faction that supports peace,” he said.
Broader Crisis
The incident follows President Salva Kiir’s suspension of First Vice President Riek Machar last week, accusing him of treason and crimes against humanity related to a March militia attack on a military base in Nasir County.
The SPLM-IO, led by Machar, has denied the charges and declared the transitional government collapsed, calling it illegitimate. The party has vowed to push for regime change.
However, the SPLM-IO faction formed in April and led by Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol has stated it remains committed to the 2018 peace deal and is still working with the ruling SPLM and President Kiir to implement the agreement.