![Minister of Peace-Building Stephen Par Kuol speaking to the media following meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the State House J1 on Tuesday, September 6th 2022. [Photo by presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Par.jpg?resize=928%2C477&quality=89&ssl=1)
In a letter addressed to Amb. George Aggrey Owinow, Chairperson of RJMEC, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, Acting Chairman of SPLM-IO, did not cite any reason for the suspension.
Oyet replaced Stephen Par Kuol with Martin Abucha Gama, who is the Minister of Mining.
“With compliments, I am writing to bring to your attention the suspension of Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, the representative of the SPLM-IO to the RJMEC,” Oyet said.
“Hon. Par shall no longer represent the SPLM-IO in any official capacity in the RJEMC. Therefore, Hon. Martin Abucha Gama is hereby appointed to replace Hon. Stephen Par Kuol with immediate effect.”
Oyet stated that he replaced Gatwech Lam Puoch, who is currently being held by the National Security Services, with Yolanda Awet Deng, the former minister of health.
“Secondly, you may be aware that your excellency, our representative to RJMEC, Hon. Gatwech Lam Puoch, is being illegally detained by National Security Services; as such, he is unable to discharge his duty in the RJMEC at this time,” he said.
“I, therefore, appoint Hon. Yolanda Awet Deng to act in the place of Hon. Gatwech Lam Puoch with immediate effect.”
On Monday, Stephen Par Kuol was suspended along with three of his colleagues due to a plot aimed at overthrowing their chairperson, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and creating division within the party.
They accused the suspended officials of being manipulated by President Salva Kiir to internally mobilize support for the replacement of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
