SPLM-IO will continue ‘agenda of reform’ despite high-level defections – official

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has downplayed the defection of a high-profile diplomat and other senior members of the main armed opposition group, saying it will continue its agenda of reform despite these defections.

The movement has in recent months suffered heavy loses because of defection of senior members.

Of the most recent defections is that of the SPLM-IO Secretary-General, Tingo Peter, who resigned last week in a surprise letter addressed to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who is also the leader of the group, accusing him of handling issues of the movement “single-handedly”.

This afternoon the SPLM-IO deputy chairperson for foreign relations committee, Pasquale Clement, resigned, hours after General Lok tang Reat, one of the SPLA-IO Generals who were at the epicenter of the December 2013 fighting in Juba, resigned.

The opposition diplomat also reiterated the accusation that Machar has been running the group single-handedly.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Wednesday evening, Dut Majokdit, a senior SPLM-IO official who is one of the group’s peace delegates in Juba said the defection of Pasquale is personal and will not affect the group’s agenda of reform.

“The defection of Cde Pasquale Clement the former SPLM-IO deputy Chairperson for Foreign Relations Committee is a personal decision and shall never disturb the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” he said.

“The SPLM-IO will continue with the agenda of reform until we achieve the promise of liberation struggle,” he added.

He further reiterated the group’s commitment to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and said the SPLM-IO has welcomed his resignation.

“We are committed to peace and stability. We have welcomed his resignation from the SPLM-IO and we wish him all the best in his political future endeavors,” he said.