SPLM-IO dismisses allegations of vision deficiency amid defections

JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has dismissed allegations leveled by former members who have defected to the ruling party, the SPLM, claiming that the entire party and its leadership have lost vision.

This response comes in the wake of defectors issuing a joint resignation letter, which was read by John Sebit yesterday, wherein they expressed their disillusionment and frustration under Riek Machar’s leadership.

However, Juol Nhomngek, a member of parliament representing the SPLM-IO, dismissed all claims made by the defectors, labeling them as ‘fabrications’ and ‘baseless’ accusations against the organization.

“We would like to clarify by stating that the SPLM-IO party and the leadership respect their decisions to defect and join the SPLM-IG,” said Nhomngek.

“We however like to state clearly that the reasons they gave as their grounds for resignation from the SPLM-IO are not in place as they are intended to seek sympathy from the general public,” he added.

Nhomngek, hailing from Cueibet County in Lakes State, where the majority of defections occurred, emphasized that the SPLM-IO continues to advocate for reform despite facing resistance from the SPLM-IG.

He questioned why the defectors did not strive for reform within the SPLM-IO if they believed such agendas were lacking, instead of aligning with a party that opposes the changes advocated by Machar’s faction.

Furthermore, Nhomngek asserted that the SPLM-IO does not reject elections but seeks to ensure that they are conducted freely, fairly, and credibly, in the best interest of the South Sudanese people.

“The SPLM-IO is fighting for the reforms that lead to the empowerment of citizens to choose the leaders of their choices so that thee scenario of 2010 general where citizens voted for star and referendum rather than leaders is avoided,” he noted.

Accusing the SPLM-IG of employing tactics to lure away members from the SPLM-IO, Nhomngek alleged that this strategy aims to portray Machar’s party as ethnically exclusive, which does not represent all tribes.

“In summary, the grounds stated by those who defected are not correct but the real reason for their defections is that they did not come to work for reform agenda in the government under the SPLM-IO,” he stated.

He also disclosed that defectors who held positions in the SPLM-IO and switched allegiance to the SPLM-IG would forfeit their positions.

“We would like to assure the public that the membership of the SPLM-IO in Lakes State is still intact and the defections of those 22 individuals cannot affect the SPLM-IO party in Lakes state,” he asserted.

Nhomngek’s remarks were in response to the resignation and declaration of allegiance to Kiir’s camp by individuals who cited the absence of a national agenda under Machar’s leadership, accusing him of pursuing selfish interests and nepotism in lucrative positions.

They asserted that the only hope for South Sudan lies in renewing political engagement through elections, which – according to them – Machar has rejected, preferring to extend his stay in power through avoidable means.

David Deng, representing the SPLM-IO Kitgwang under Gen. Simon Gatwech in the UK, who defected to the SPLM-IG, echoed similar sentiments.

Another defector, Chuot Makur, who switched from the National People’s Alliance Movement (NPAM) to the SPLM, stated that his decision was motivated by a desire to support the peace process and elections.