(JUBA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has announced the reinstatement of several officials across multiple states and escalating tensions with President Salva Kiir’s government.
On August 17, 2025, SPLM-IO Acting Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino ordered the return of previously dismissed commissioners and appointed new ones in a move the party described as necessary to uphold the peace deal and its constitutional authority.
Among the reinstated officials were James Gatluak Lew Thiep in Nasir County, Dak Tut Dei in Longechuk County, Upper Nile State, Biel Butrus Biel in Fangak County, Jonglei State, David Lisi Christopher in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State, George Wani in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, and Abdalla Lokeno in Kapoeta East County, Eastern Equatoria State. New acting commissioners were also named for Ulang, Nyirol, Panyikang, and Piji counties in Jonglei State.
Nathaniel framed the reinstatements as a defence of SPLM-IO’s role under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), asserting that President Kiir’s repeated dismissals of SPLM-IO figures violated multiple provisions of the deal.
“The government has made repeated unilateral decisions in violation of Articles 1.3, 1.5, 1.12, and 1.16 of the R-ARCSS,” Nathaniel said. “This is not just about positions; it’s about undermining the very framework that brought us to peace.”
The political standoff follows a wave of reshuffles by President Kiir in early 2025, which saw governors, commissioners, state MPs, and military aligned civil servants loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar removed from office.
Clashes between government forces and SPLM-IO units in March and April left dozens dead and included the arrest of several SPLM-IO ministers, lawmakers, and officers, culminating in Dr. Machar’s detention on March 28, 2025. The government has described these actions as lawful measures against insubordination, while the SPLM-IO regards them as violations of the peace agreement.
Locally, citizens in affected areas face uncertainty over legitimate leadership as dual claims to authority create confusion for residents.
With elections tentatively set for December 2026, the SPLM-IO’s latest actions signal both a warning and an opportunity. The reinstatements could prompt renewed negotiations over the peace agreement, or further entrench divisions that risk transforming political disagreements into a long term conflict.
SPLM-IO and Kiir Locked in Leadership Battle
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Party | SPLM-IO |
| Action | Reinstatement of sacked officials, new appointments |
| States Affected | Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria |
| Key Figures Reinstated | James Gatluak Lew Thiep, Dak Tut Dei, Biel Butrus Biel, David Lisi Christopher, George Wani, Abdalla Lokeno |
| New Appointments | Acting commissioners in Ulang, Nyirol, Panyikang, Piji counties |
| Trigger | Dismissals by President Salva Kiir violating peace agreement provisions |
| Previous Conflicts | March-April clashes, arrests of SPLM-IO officials, Machar detention |
| Implication | Dual authority, uncertainty over governance, risk to 2026 elections |
