SPLM-IO officials resign, accuse Machar of nepotism

JUBA – A group of senior members of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) chapter in Egypt have resigned, citing lack of vision and nepotism from the higher leadership of the movement.

The group’s leader, Kom Simon Manyrop who was the SPLM-IO spokesman in Egypt and the Middle East, told Sudans Post in an interview on Friday evening that the main armed opposition group lost its vision with the return of First Vice President Riek Machar to Juba in 2020.

According to him, close relatives with no substantial experience in running political organizations are the ones being forced into leadership positions by the opposition leader. He said they have decided to resign from the group to protect the unity of the people of South Sudan.

“We have decided to resign because you have followed the SPLM-IO since Riek Machar went to Juba. We have contributed to the success of the group, but we have not been recognized. We are not referring to positions, but because family members are occupying the decision-making process even though they have no experience in running political organizations,” he said.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the group said they were immediately resigning from the political organization and highlighted their efforts in building the SPLM-IO since its inception, but with little to no recognition from the leadership.

“We have been at the forefront of the revolutionary spear, advocating for the nation and its people. As active members and political operatives within the SPLM-IO, we have consistently pushed for political reforms to combat narrow-minded tribalism through ideological frameworks that foster national unity and positivity among SPLM-IO members in Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa. We have also worked towards enhancing the party’s principles and implementing similar political reforms,” they said.

“In our quest to protect the citizens of South Sudan and uphold the principles of the SPLM-IO, we have executed our duties with the utmost dedication. Our contributions have consistently reflected the party’s core values, as outlined in its manifesto, rules, regulations, and constitution. Our commitment has been unwavering, driven by belief in the party’s ideals rather than personal gain or position,” they added.

Among the key issues the group highlighted is the alleged “lack of cooperation between the leadership and external offices, deviation from the vision articulated in the party’s constitution, causing ideological contradictions, exclusion of qualified cadres from meaningful participation, leadership’s failure to address political reforms effectively, lack of direction in the movement and nepotism.”

They further urged their colleagues who are still in the SPLM-IO to “correct the current errors within the organization to better fulfill your commitments to the revitalized peace agreement.”