(Juba) — A faction of South Sudan’s main opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has been ordered to vacate offices it occupies at the Palm Africa Hotel in Juba, following a formal notice from the property’s owner.
The group led by Ambassador Stephen Par and known for aligning with the so called “Palm Africa Hotel Declaration” is accused of occupying the hotel’s premises without legal authority.
According to individuals familiar with the dispute, the property owner has issued a written directive demanding the group immediately cease operations and vacate the premises.
A representative close to the landlord told Jakony.com® that the Par led faction is not recognised under any lease or agreement made between the SPLM-IO and the hotel.
“The group led by Amb. Stephen Par was not part of the original contractual agreement between SPLM-IO and the property owner. Their occupation is considered illegal, and they have been asked to leave,” the representative stated.
This development has exposed the deepening internal divisions within the SPLM-IO, a party that has seen several splinter factions emerge in recent months. These groups continue to contest the leadership of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and challenge established party structures.
The Palm Africa Declaration group is accused of unilaterally attempting to assume control over the party’s administrative functions without undergoing recognised internal processes. Critics within the main SPLM-IO leadership have labelled the group’s actions as unconstitutional and damaging to party cohesion.
Dr. Riek Machar’s SPLM-IO camp has publicly distanced itself from Ambassador Par’s faction. In previous statements, Machar’s team rejected the legitimacy of the Palm Africa Declaration, calling it a destabilising move that undermines unity within the movement.
As of Tuesday evening, there had been no official statement from Ambassador Par or his allies regarding the eviction notice.
