JUBA — South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has rejected the suspension of their chairman and First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, Deputy Chairman of SPLM-IO, stated that the suspension of Machar represents a significant violation that effectively halts the 2018 peace agreement.
“We reject and condemn the suspension of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice President, the Chairman and Commander-In-Chief, and other political detainees from the RTGNU,” Oyet said in a statement issued on Monday.
Oyet condemned the suspension and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Machar and other key allies, warning that failure to do so would leave SPLM/SPLA-IO with no choice but to resort to all available means to secure his release.
He also dismissed the charges against Machar and his officials as violations of the revitalized peace agreement, labeling them as politically motivated actions that restrict political space and target Machar and his members at the behest of the ruling party.
“Does not recognize the court process and shall not take part in the politically motivated trials nor file any legal defense against members who are illegally arrested and detained in contravention of the Peace Agreement.”
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Joseph Geng Akech, in a statement, revealed that charges against 76 others had been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
“The accused were informed of their constitutional rights, which include the right to a fair trial and legal representation. The case will go to trial, and the prosecution will present evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” Akech said at a press conference last week.
He revealed that the eight people charged include Machar, Chol, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy army chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and the opposition chief of staff, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Riek Yak, and Dominic Gatrgok Riek.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit suspended Dr. Riek Machar Teny, leader of the main opposition group, SPLM-IO, last week after he and his key allies were charged with murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and military assets, and crimes against humanity by the Ministry of Justice.
The charges stem from a violent incident in March when a militia known as the White Army overran a garrison of government troops in Nasir County, Upper Nile, killing its commanding officer, Gen. Majur Dak, and several soldiers.
The Justice Ministry asserted that the attack in Nasir was influenced by Machar and others through “coordinated military and political structures.”
Machar has remained under house arrest since March, with concerns mounting for his safety as he has not appeared in public for months.
