SPLM-IO Crisis Deepens: Prof. Adwok Calls Interim Leadership a 'Coup'

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Former Commissioner of Cueibet County of Lakes State, Deng Mario Deng. |
The Commissioner of Cueibet County, Deng Mario Deng, has been arrested in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, in a move that deepens political tensions between the SPLM-IO and the ruling SPLM party.
Deng, a member of the SPLM-IO, was taken into custody shortly after he responded to a summons from Governor Rin Tueny Mabor on April 15.
Though Deng initially reported that he was free to move and retained his security detail upon arrival in Rumbek, his status changed dramatically by Wednesday, with his arrest now confirmed.
The reason behind the commissioner’s detention has not been made public, and no official charges have been announced.
This arrest comes just days after several senior SPLM-IO officials, including Lakes State Deputy Governor Isaiah Akol Mathiang, were also detained by the National Security Service.
The wave of arrests has raised alarms about the stability of the power-sharing agreement under the 2018 peace deal, particularly in states like Lakes where political divisions remain sharp.
Cueibet County, which Deng has led, is currently grappling with a surge in intercommunal violence. Earlier this month, deadly clashes between members of the Gok community in Cueibet and the Agar community in Rumbek left at least 14 people dead and 25 others injured.
Deng's arrest now risks creating a leadership vacuum at a critical time for the county.
As of this writing, the SPLM-IO has not released an official statement regarding the arrest of their senior member.
Observers fear this may escalate tensions further and undermine efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
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