SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

SPLM-IO Condemn President Kiir Decision To Sack Jonglei State Speaker

The decision by Kiir to sack SPLM-IO speaker Amer Ateny Alier has been condemn by the main opposition group in the country and terming it illegal. 

No reason was given for revoking the SPLM-IO speaker of Jonglei State. The decree was issued on Tuesday this week. 

SPLM-IO Director of Information Puok Baluang while speaking to the media said they are not contented with the decisions and calls for the president to reconsider his decision. 

In Director Puok's own word quoted below “first of all, it is true that the decision made by President Salva Kiir to revoke the appointment of Rt. Hon. Speaker Amer Ateny Alier was a unilateral decision. The SPLM-IO did not recommend that decision according to the 2018 Agreement,” 

 “Therefore, it is illegal and a great violation of the R-ARCSS. We condemn that decision.”-Director Puok. 


The official reiterated SPLM-IO’s commitment to implementing the 2018 deal and that his party leadership is engaging President Kiir over the stalemate. 

He further said that SPLM-IO mission to implement the 2018 agreement.

“We urge the President to call back that decision and allow Rt. Hon. Speaker Amer continue discharging her position bearing in mind that the parliament is a crucial arm of the government. There is no justification given to us so far although the decision was wrong. Our party chairperson will try to meet the president today on the matter,” he said.

The speaker in her defense said that she was surprised when she heard of the revocation of her appointment.

Speaker Amer Ateny Alier “My dismissal is a culmination of a long-running conflict between me and the Jonglei governor for standing for our people over the issues like unpaid salary arrears, his continued absentia in the state for months, and that of an impeached minister who still serves in defiance,” she charged. 

“What surprises us in SPLM-IO is that there was no prior consent before the decree. If the president knows what is happening in Jonglei State, I believe he would stand with me for being a voice of the people," Amer added.

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