10/04/2025
SPLM-IO's Bold Move: Appointing Interim Leadership for Lasting Peace and Stability in South Sudan
By: Kolongdit Media Chief Editor
In a historic decision that could reshape the future of South Sudan's political landscape, a faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) based in Juba has named an interim leadership. This decision comes at a crucial time when the faction is grappling with internal divisions and the prolonged house arrest of its leader, Riek Machar.
At a recent consultative meeting in Juba, Stephen Par Kuol was appointed as the interim chairman, with Lasuba Wango as his deputy and Agok Makur as Secretary-General. While the meeting was boycotted by some senior leaders, including Angelina Teny and Regina Kaba, the participants were united in their call for Machar's immediate release. They also resolved that Machar would resume leadership once freed from detention, ensuring continuity in the party’s leadership structure.
Though some may view this as an internal coup within the SPLM-IO, the appointment of an interim leadership should be recognized as a pragmatic and constructive step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. Amidst political turbulence and power struggles, this move sends a clear message of commitment to the people of South Sudan: the SPLM-IO is determined to remain unified, functional, and focused on its role in the peace process, even in the face of adversity.
The new interim leaders—Kuol, Wango, and Makur—bring with them significant experience and leadership qualities that can help guide the SPLM-IO through these turbulent times. By maintaining the party's organizational integrity and ensuring it remains active, the faction avoids a potential collapse that could set back the fragile peace process. Their leadership provides a beacon of hope for South Sudan’s political future, ensuring that the country is not left without a clear direction.
Furthermore, the group’s resolution to advoca