“Riek should resign instead of wasting time as SPLM-IO leader” – Dak Duop

File: Former South Sudan Petroleum Minister Dak Duop Bichiok

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who is also the chairperson of the SPLM-IO should resign now instead of wasting time as leader of the group, senior opposition official Dak Duop Bichiok who abandoned Machar last week has suggested.

This comes after a meeting at state house J1 with President Salva Kiir Mayardit who, according to his office, appealed to the defecting officials to promote the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“Riek has nobody with him. All he has Ade young men who don’t know the game of politics. He should instead resign instead of wasting time as the leader of the SPLM-IO,” Dak Duop said in a press conference following the meeting.

For his part, Thomas Maluit Both, a senior member of the SPLM-IO who also defected with Dak Duop wonders why some people are still following Machar claiming that the main armed opposition group is full of nepotism.

“They don’t understand why some people are still supporting the leadership of SPLM IO under Dr. Riek Machar…SPLM-IO is full of nepotism and discrimination without any clear reform agenda for the nation,” Thomas said.

Kiir’s office said in a statement that the “delegation led by Former Senior SPLM IO member Dak Duop Bichiok who defected recently to President Salva Kiir Mayardit said, they don’t understand why some people are still supporting the leadership of SPLM IO under Dr. Riek Machar.”