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| FVP Dr. Riek Machar |
A faction within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has strongly reaffirmed its allegiance to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, despite his current house arrest and rising internal divisions.
This comes in response to recent claims by Stephen Par Kuol, a senior SPLM-IO official, who two months ago declared himself interim leader of the party.
In a public statement, members of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau declared Par Kuol's assertion “null and void,” reiterating that Machar remains the legitimate leader of the movement.
The group emphasized that although the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is under immense pressure, it has not collapsed.
Analysis: A Party in Turmoil, a Peace Deal in Peril
This development highlights the growing cracks within the SPLM-IO, a key signatory to the peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s brutal civil war.
The internal power struggle, especially at a time when Machar is physically restricted and politically isolated, threatens to destabilize not only the SPLM-IO but the broader peace framework.
Stephen Par Kuol's attempt to assume leadership could be interpreted as an opportunistic move in the absence of Machar’s active political engagement.
However, the swift and public rejection by other SPLM-IO leaders signals that Machar still commands considerable loyalty within the movement.
The political bureau’s emphasis that the peace deal is being tested “more than ever” is a sobering reminder of the fragile state of the agreement.
Key provisions including the unification of forces, constitutional making, and the conduct of elections remain unfulfilled. With general elections expected in 2024 (now likely delayed), political uncertainty is deepening.
Call for Dialogue and International Support
The SPLM-IO faction is now calling for a renewed dialogue between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar South Sudan’s most prominent political rivals whose cooperation is central to the peace process.
They have also appealed to regional and international bodies to intervene, particularly to ensure the release of detained SPLM-IO members and revive the stalled peace implementation mechanisms.
This plea underscores the growing concern that the country could backslide into conflict if political grievances remain unresolved and the transitional government continues to stall reforms.
What’s at Stake
The house arrest of FVP Dr. Machar a figure instrumental in both war and peace raises critical questions about the state of political pluralism and power-sharing in South Sudan.
His confinement, coupled with reports of harassment and arbitrary detentions of opposition figures, points to a shrinking political space. If not addressed, these trends could undermine the credibility of the transitional government and trigger further instability.
With the political climate becoming increasingly volatile, the role of regional bodies such as IGAD and the African Union, as well as international partners, becomes even more vital.
Their silence or inaction at this critical juncture could signal a retreat from the peace process, leaving South Sudanese citizens to bear the brunt of elite rivalries once again.
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