A faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) has dismissed nine of its senior members in Western Equatoria State for allegedly defecting to rival political parties, according to a senior official.
The order was issued by Justin Joseph Marona, the deputy governor of Western Equatoria State, who represents the SPLM-IO interim leadership faction led by National Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol. The administrative order, dated Oct. 22, stated the dismissals followed the expiration of a 60-day grace period for members to return to the party.
Marona said the members violated the party’s code of conduct and the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. “Waging or conspiring to wage an armed opposition against the movement or the State is a serious offence to the party,” the order said.
The officials were removed from the SPLM-IO’s interim leadership in the state. They had been appointed under former Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba, who was removed earlier this year. Futuyo is now a leading member of the SPLM-IO faction loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, who is currently on trial in Juba.
The dismissal order named nine officials. Among those identified were John Singira, the mayor of Yambio; Rubben Amaai Majok Mamur, the commissioner of Mvolo County; and Lino Futaki Kuago, the commissioner of Nzara County.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, John Singira said he had switched his allegiance to the ruling SPLM led by President Salva Kiir following internal party fighting in April.
“I joined SPLM with all my heart. I don’t know the reason for this new dismissal,” Singira said. “What South Sudan needs is peace, unity, and love — not tribalism or political division.”
Another official named in the order, Mvolo County Commissioner Rubben Amaai Majok Mamur, said he had resigned months earlier. In an Oct. 23 letter to Marona, Amaai wrote that he officially resigned on Aug. 8 and welcomed the dismissal order, stating, “I had already dismissed myself before your decision.”
Attempts to reach other dismissed officials were unsuccessful.
The SPLM-IO has been fractured since April, when a group of members in Juba endorsed Par Kuol as interim leader after Machar was placed under house arrest. Kuol pledged to serve only until Machar is released, but the move was boycotted by many top officials loyal to Machar.
Subsequently, Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro outlined government plans to advance the 2018 peace agreement while recognizing the interim SPLM-IO leadership, replacing Machar’s allies in key government positions.