Nov 20, 2021 — In response to James Kok Ruea’s recent declaration to return to Kiir-led SPLM, mainstream, the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO instructed president Salva Kiir to issue a presidential decree withdrawing the parliamentarian position of the SPLM/A-IO from James Kok Ruea, a man on a research.
According to a presidential decree read on SSBC on Wednesday, Hon. James Kok has lost his parliamentary seat to Pei Nyawela Bol, a loyal member of the SPLM/A-IO, leaving the former governor with no position until further notice.
James Kok Ruea was appointed to the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) on SPLM/A-IO ticket during his short stay under Dr. Machar’s camp; however, the controversial politician publicly announced that he “was on a mission”, he “was on a research”, a statement that was meant to justify his return to Kiir-led SPLM but that has angered Machar-led SPLM/A-IO.
For the last few days, James Kok, who was once trusted by president Kiir on temporary appointments including into gubernatorial position of the defunct Fangak state and once in a blue moon into government delegations, has been holding press briefings to discuss why he had to defect back and forth.
According to Hon. Kok, who takes credit for dragging Dr. Machar back to SPLM/A in 2002, he had a vision to rejuvenate the SPLM/A-IO but he was denied that opportunity by Machar’s inner circle.
Kok’s defection has had many versions.
According to senior members of SPLM/A-IO, he defected out of anger because he failed to secure a senior position but others accused president Kiir’s party for playing dirty games on their senior politicians and military generals
“I am not getting money here, I am not receiving anything, so what do I do?” When you move to the other side, you are given the money and you complain that we don’t have the resources,” SPLM/A-IO spokesman, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel quoted to have said.
“So the SPLA-IO condemns this act of sponsored defection and we are looking forward to seeing changes in the implementation of security arrangements. We are also asking our peace partners to reconsider this move that is being done to jeopardise the peace agreement,” continued.
