“The Leer County SPLM–IO Caucus Condemns and Distances Itself from Par’s Group.”
Monday, April 14, 2025(Nyamilepedia) — Following recent events in Juba, a group of seven, now former SPLM–IO members defied the directives of the Deputy Chairman, who, in the absence of Dr. Riek Machar Teny- Dhurgon, serves as the SPLM–IO’s Chairman and Commander–in–Chief. The edict that was issued by the acting Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino clearly indicated that no meeting in Juba should be held without his consent.
Nonetheless, the group continued its meeting, and yesterday, they established and nominated their leadership, with Hon. Stephen Par Kuol serving as their interim Chairman. As a result, the Leer County SPLM–IO Caucus strongly condemned and distanced itself from the actions of these seven members who convened an unauthorized consultative meeting at the Palm Africa Hotel in Juba on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
NAMES OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS WHO MASTERMINDED THE MOVE:
1) Stephen Par Kuol: Minister of Peace and Reconciliation – Jonglei
2) Agok Makur Kur: Member of Parliament – Lakes TNLA
3) Losuba Ludoru Wongo: Minister of Federal Affairs – Central Equatoria
4) Deng Deng Akoon: Speaker of the Council of States – Northern Bahr El Ghazal
5) Alier Samuel Ateny: Member of Parliament – Jonglei TNLA
6) Mustafa Gibson: No Government Portfolio – Western Equatoria
7) John Dak: No Government Portfolio – Upper Nile
BACKGROUND AND CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS
The group, led by Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, has no constitutional authority to convene such a meeting. According to the SPLM–IO’s four basic documents, any meeting of the Political Bureau (PB) or National Liberation Council (NLC) must be called by the Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny–Dhurgon. In his absence, the Deputy Chairman or Party Secretary–General may convene the meeting. The SPLM–IO Political Bureau (PB) comprises 28 members, whereas the National Liberation Council (NLC) consists of 326 members. The so–called consultative meeting at the Palm Africa Hotel failed to satisfy the required quorum, rendering it invalid. We refer to this gathering as “the joke of the year.”
DENUNCIATION AND CALL TO ACTION
The Leer County SPLM–IO Caucus strongly condemns this group and views their actions as an effort to hijack the party. Their actions contradict the Party’s code of conduct and the constitution. We urge all SPLM/A–10 members, sympathizers, and the general public to shun their programs. We urge the public to distance themselves from these individuals until a thorough investigation is completed.
Likewise, the Leer County SPLM–IO Caucus strongly condemned and disowned Hon. Luke Thoan Teny for betraying both the people of Leer and the SPLM–IO. Hon. Luke Thoan is a strident critic of the SPLM–IO leadership, assigned to the National Liberation Council (NLC), representing Leer County during the First Pagak Conference in December 2014. Hon. Luke Thoan Teny, a member of Parliament in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), who coined the phrase “pillar Politic” and recently revived one of Mabior Garang’s most compelling slogans, “Forces of Darkness” to advocate for SPLM-10 leadership change, does not represent us.
For those who don’t know Hon. Luke Thoan very well, he’s an impulsive person who thrives in noisy environments and competes for attention. He doesn’t walk the talk, which explains why he hasn’t persuaded a single disciplined or responsible individual in Leer County to join him in his campaign to overthrow Dr. Riek Machar. Given this data, it should be obvious that Hon. Luke Thoan has no support in his constituency.
Furthermore, we would like to congratulate the able acting Chairman and Commander- in–Chief, Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, for saving us the trouble by suspending Hon. Luke Thoan Teny; we look forward to his permanent dismissal from the position of the National Liberation Council (NLC) given his conspiracy against the Chairman, Riek Machar Teny–Dhurgon, and the SPLM–IO.
APPEAL TO RELEASE THE DETAINEES
Moving forward, we appeal to H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit to release First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny–Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander–in–Chief of the SPLM/A–IO, Hon. Puot Kang Chol, Minister of Petroleum, Lt. General Duop Lam, SPLA–IO Chief of General Staff, and other detainees from all ten States and three administrative areas.
COMMITMENT TO THE R–ARCSS
The Leer County SPLM–IO Caucus reiterates its unwavering commitment to the Revitalized Agreement on Conflict Resolution in the Republic of South Sudan (R–ARCSS) and pledges full support for its implementation.
Signed,
Hon. Dr. Kuong Dak Wie,
Chairman, Leer County Caucus and National Member of the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly, Member of the SPLM–IO Political Bureau, SPLM–IO.
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