Juba, South Sudan – 12– 09-2025.The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) has strongly condemned the recent actions of the Government of National Unity led by President Salva Kiir, describing the planned prosecution of its leaders as a “sham trial” and a blatant violation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The controversy stems from the Constitutional Affairs Ministry’s decision to arraign First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, SPLM-IO Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, along with other SPLM-IO political and military detainees, in what the party describes as a kangaroo court. Later the same day, the SSBC reported the illegal suspension of Dr. Machar and Petroleum Minister Hon. Puot Kang from their government portfolios.
In an official statement, SPLM-IO spokesperson Cde. Pal Mai Deng argued that as principal signatories to the R-ARCSS, SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG do not have the authority to prosecute one another and stressed with a firm condemnation of the government’s actions.
“We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.” Mai said. The statement emphasizes that prosecution responsibilities during the transitional period are specifically outlined in Article 5.3 of the R-ARCSS, which provides for the establishment of a Hybrid Court.
The statement further notes that the alleged “Nasir incident” of 3–7 March 2025, in which SPLM-IO forces reportedly suffered casualties while facilitating the safe evacuation of Gen. Majur, falls under the investigative remit of CTSAMVM and RJMEC, not any of the principal signatories of the agreement. “These unlawful actions come despite repeated calls from SPLM-IO and the international community for the unconditional release of SPLM-IO detainees and a return to dialogue to resolve the current stalemate,” the statement said.
SPLM-IO warns that the planned trial of its members on what it calls trumped-up charges is a clear abuse of power that undermines both the R-ARCSS and the prospects for political settlement, reconciliation, and national healing in South Sudan.
