Arop Jonchol
Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The High-Level Standing Committee for the Implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement, composed of representatives from the signatory parties, has officially recognized the interim leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) under Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol. This move is expected to reshape the country’s political landscape.
The announcement comes amid deep internal divisions within the SPLM-IO, particularly following a decision by the party’s deputy chairman, Oyet Nathaniel, to suspend Kuol’s membership — a reflection of growing factionalism within the opposition amid South Sudan’s ongoing political and security crisis.
Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary of the Committee, stated that Kuol’s faction now holds “full rights” to nominate representatives to peace implementation mechanisms.
“We urge all parties to uphold the spirit of the agreement and refrain from making statements that suggest it is no longer active,” Lomuro added.
This development follows escalating tensions in the country, particularly after First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar was placed under house arrest following clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State, on 26 March. The incident was preceded by a wave of arrests targeting SPLM-IO officials, including Kuol, who was later released under unclear circumstances. Several others, including the Minister of Petroleum, remain in detention.
Last month, a faction of the SPLM-IO convened and appointed Kuol as interim chairman, though the meeting was boycotted by senior officials opposing Machar’s removal. The decision has faced staunch resistance from the movement’s military wing, which remains loyal to Machar.
In a statement, Stephen Par Kuol confirmed that the committee unanimously recognized his interim leadership, saying:
“We are now considered the legitimate representatives of SPLM-IO under the peace agreement, which reflects the consensus of all signatory parties, including the ruling SPLM.”
Michael Ayuen, a representative of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), also voiced his coalition’s support for Kuol’s leadership, denying any internal rift within SSOA and affirming that the alliance remains unified under Vice President Josephine Lagu.
This official recognition marks a significant shift in the implementation of the peace agreement, at a time when the country is facing political stagnation and delays in key provisions—most notably the preparations for upcoming elections.
