The SPLM Former Political Detainees (SPLM-FDs) have revoked the membership of their parliamentary representative, Isaiah Hakim Garang, a day after he criticized Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior over remarks she made about the country’s political direction.
The SPLM-FDs, which are represented in the transitional government, are a party to the 2018 peace agreement. They rejoined the ruling SPLM after the formation of the transitional unity government.
The group said in a statement on Tuesday that Garang was not authorized to speak on its behalf when he condemned Nyandeng’s remarks and rejected what he described as calls for confrontation with the government.
Garang, who serves as the group’s chief whip in the transitional parliament, had on Monday urged South Sudanese, particularly young people, to reject confrontation and support the government as the country prepares for elections scheduled for December 2026.
“We came out as former political detainees to condemn the statement made by Mama Rebecca Nyandeng during the funeral prayers of late Honorable Kosti Manibe,” Garang told reporters in Juba on Monday.
Nyandeng made the remarks last month during a requiem Mass for former Finance and Planning Minister Kosti Manibe at All Saints Cathedral in Juba.
She questioned who was advising and overseeing President Salva Kiir, saying senior figures from the liberation struggle had previously played such a role.
“When Dr. John Garang was there, those of Deng Alor, Elijah Malok, those of Kosti Manibe, all those people were there, watching. Who’s watching over President Salva Kiir now?” she said.
Nyandeng, one of five vice presidents in the transitional government and widow of former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leader John Garang, also said she could sometimes go as long as two years without meeting Kiir and urged young South Sudanese to speak out against wrongdoing.
Nyandeng was appointed vice president in 2020 as the nominee of the SPLM Former Political Detainees (SPLM-FDs).
In a joint statement, SPLM-FD leaders General Gier Chuang Aluong, Madut Biar Yel and Majak D’Agoot said Garang’s position as the group’s parliamentary representative did not give him authority to speak for the organization without its approval.
In a letter dated Sept. 8, the three leaders said Garang’s membership had been revoked with immediate effect for alleged violations of the SPLM-FD code of conduct and internal rules.
They accused him of making public statements on behalf of the group without authorization or the consent of its leadership and members, saying his conduct was inconsistent with the discipline and accountability expected of members.
The letter said Garang is no longer authorized to act in the name of the SPLM-FDs, represent the group in an official or public capacity, or identify himself as a member.
The leaders said relevant institutions, including the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly, would be notified of the change in his status.
They also directed Garang to return SPLM-FD resources and records, as well as any government materials in his possession, to the relevant authorities.
Garang had also served as the FDs’ representative on the committee overseeing implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
Garang could not immediately be reached for comment on the revocation of his membership.
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