Dr. Deng Bol Aruai Bol
Chairman,
Common Peoples Alliance (CPA)
Juba, South Sudan
Dear brothers and sisters in the SPLM-IO,
Thursday, April 10, 2025(Nyamilepedia) — I write to you not as a rival or outsider, but as a fellow South Sudanese who believes in justice, peace, and the right of every citizen to have a voice in how this country is governed. Over the years, the SPLM-IO has remained the only real opposition voice in this country. Since the signing of the peace agreement, your presence has helped hold the line against a government that is slowly turning into a one-party system. You may not always be appreciated for it, but many of us know that if it weren’t for your resistance, things would have been far worse by now.
From 2018, when the Revitalized Agreement was signed, to the formation of the unity government in 2020, it was your pressure and persistence that pushed the process forward. Most of the other political parties have either been swallowed up by the SPLM-IG or silenced by appointments and threats. They no longer function as opposition in any meaningful way. That leaves the SPLM-IO as the last real voice that still stands for the promise of change. And for that, the people expect much from you—not just words, but leadership, clarity, and courage in these hard times.
What happened yesterday within your ranks was a sad day for all of us who believe in democratic politics. It was not just a betrayal of your leadership—it was a betrayal of the people. Let us not pretend this came out of nowhere. This was a carefully planned effort by forces who want to destroy the SPLM-IO from within. And to do it now, at a time when our country is on the edge, is both reckless and dangerous. I want to thank those of you—leaders and members alike—who refused to be part of that plan. You showed integrity, and that matters more than ever right now.
As Chairman of the Common Peoples Alliance, I want to say clearly: we stand with the SPLM-IO. We may not be part of the R-ARCSS, but we are with you in this struggle. What is happening is bigger than any one party. This is a fight for the survival of political space in South Sudan. If we allow these tactics to continue, there will soon be no room left for anyone who thinks differently. That’s why it is time for all opposition forces—whether inside or outside of the agreement, whether in Juba or in exile—to come together and push back against this campaign to shut down dissent in our country.
I also want to speak directly on the matter of Dr. Riek Machar. No peace agreement can be rewritten by force or through detention. The Revitalized Agreement was signed by all parties, witnessed by regional and international partners, and built on the understanding that no one partner could change it alone. Holding Dr. Riek Machar and other political figures without due process is not just unlawful—it undermines the entire agreement. This is not how peace is protected; this is how peace is broken.
To every SPLM-IO member, both political and military, wherever you are, I appeal to you: demand the release of your Chairman. Do so peacefully, but do so firmly. This is not just about one man—this is about protecting the agreement, your voice, and the rights of your supporters who believed in the process. The people who are now detained must be released. If not, then this must be resisted. You have every right to stand your ground when others are trying to erase what you’ve built.
We’ve seen how this government uses threats and intimidation to get its way. But no agreement can be changed by one party acting alone. That’s not negotiation—that’s bullying. And if we let this go unchecked, it will set a dangerous example for years to come. South Sudan cannot be run like a private business. It belongs to the people, and decisions about its future must be made with respect and in full view of all who signed the peace deal.
This moment is serious, but it’s not the end. I believe Dr. Riek Machar will be released. I believe he will return to his position. And I believe that those who tried to remove him through the back door will be remembered for their betrayal, not for any leadership. Until then, I urge you to stay calm, stay united, and remember that this struggle is bigger than any one moment. It is about whether South Sudan will have a future where disagreement is allowed, where opposition is not a crime, and where peace is more than a slogan.
Thank you for holding the line. We are with you.
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