South Sudan signals move to replace detained First Vice President Machar

JUBA – South Sudan’s government intends to initiate a process to replace First Vice President Riek Machar, the leader of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO, senior officials said on Saturday. The move follows Machar’s recent detention and deepening internal divisions within his party.

Martin Elia Lomuro, Cabinet Minister and Secretary of the High-level Standing Committee on peace implementation, told reporters in Juba that the government would work with a faction of the SPLM-IO that remains within the government to ensure the continued implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“At this point I want to mention that our commitment as the high-level committee is to make sure that we implement the agreement to move this country forward,” Lomuro said.

He outlined several planned actions, including reaffirming leadership representation within the transitional government.

“The High-level Standing Committee, which includes all the party signatories to the agreement, shall urgently convene a meeting to recognize the legitimate SPLM-IO faction for continued implementation of the access,” Lomuro stated, referring to a faction led by peacebuilding minister Stephen Par Kuol.

“We’ll have to recognize according to the agreement and according to the constitution of the SPLM-IO itself which party is legitimate. The one that has rebelled outside? The one that is hiding? The one that is self-exiled? Or the one that is with us in the government? Because every party has a constitution. A party is actually a government. It has a constitution. It has laws, rules, and regulation. We will follow those,” he said.

Lomuro emphasized that the absence of one faction of the SPLM-IO, referring to those loyal to First Vice President Machar, would not invalidate the peace agreement, which he said includes 42 political parties.

“The SPLM-IO claims to be the only one group. But then the SSOA, South Sudan Opposition Alliance, has eight. The other parties, we call them OPP, have 20. And then you have the FDs. So, you’re talking about 42 parties in this government. So, the fact that one faction of the SPLM-IO is not there does not nullify, does not annul the agreement,” he asserted.

Meanwhile Information Minister and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth elaborated on the process for potentially replacing Machar, who has been under investigation following recent tensions.

“As for the vacancies, those who vacated, the vacancies vacated belong to [SPLM]IO, and it is the interim body or the transitional body of the IO that will write to His Excellency the President that these people have already gone, we are requesting your offices, your good offices, to relieve them and appoint A, B, C, D in their places,” Makuei said.

He clarified that the government would await a recommendation from the SPLM-IO faction within the government to fill any vacated positions.

“So, it is the committee, the IO committee that will be writing to the President for the relief of those who have already defected or under arrest or on hiding. These are the people who will be relieved so that the others are appointed in their places,” Makuei explained.

Makuei acknowledged Machar’s leadership within the SPLM-IO but stressed that the institution continues despite his current situation.

“Riak Machar is the chairman of an organization called the SPLM-A-I-O. He is not the SPLM/A-I-O, but he is the chairman of that organization. And the fact that he is the chair of the organization doesn’t mean that in his absence the movement has collapsed, or the institution has collapsed. The institution continues and as such, his arrest or being outside the administration of the I-O doesn’t mean that the SPLM-A-I-O has gone,” Makuei said.

He noted the fragmentation within the SPLM-IO, identifying factions in conflict with the law, those who have defected, those in hiding, and the faction currently participating in the government.

Regarding Machar’s position as First Vice President, Makuei also indicated it could be vacated depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

“As for his position, his position, of course, will be vacated when necessity requires. As soon as the investigation continues, if the investigation committee finds that there is a case against Riek Machar, then they will recommend his being prosecuted before the court,” Makuei stated.

He added that if the investigation finds sufficient evidence to warrant a trial, the committee would recommend to the President that Machar be relieved of his duties to face the law.

Both Lomuro and Makuei emphasized the government’s commitment to the peace process and the holding of elections in 2026. Lomuro outlined further steps, including reviewing the electoral budget, developing a realistic election schedule, expediting security sector reform, and drafting a roadmap to resolve outstanding issues in the peace agreement.

Lomuro also raised concerns about an alleged former SPLM-IO officer allegedly collaborating with Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, urging neighboring countries not to provide support to such groups.