SPLM-IO in Western Equatoria accuses governor violating 2018 peace deal

YAMBIO – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by suspend first vice president, Dr. Riek Machar Teny in Western Equatoria State on Saturday accused the state government of breaching the 2018 peace deal following a major reshuffle that saw the appointment of a new mayor and the removal of 17 Director-Generals without consultation.

The changes, announced on Thursday, 27 November, included the appointment of Fozia Abbas Barnaba Bangasu of the SPLM-In-Government (SPLM-IG) as the new Mayor of Yambio Municipality, replacing John Singira, who is from the SPLM-IO.

According to the SPLM-IO, 17 Directors from various state ministries and bureaus were also dismissed and replaced by SPLM-IG members in what they describe as a unilateral action.

Deputy Governor Justin Joseph Marona, who also serves as the interim SPLM-IO Chairperson in Western Equatoria, said the reshuffle violates the power-sharing arrangements agreed upon under the R-ARCSS, which requires all parties to consult when altering major administrative structures.

Marona stated that the political arrangement regarding the governor position being assigned to SPLM and the deputy position to SPLM-IO, along with the restructuring of lower government bodies, was carried out without consultation with the SPLM-IO leadership.

He said that the unfilled Deputy Commissioner position of the Revenue Authority indicates the ongoing tensions between the two parties.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that Director General positions fall under super scale grade one and cannot be lawfully changed without following public service regulations, including the formation of a presale committee by the Council of Ministers.

“These appointments must follow proper procedures. What has happened is a total violation of the peace agreement and the public service laws,” he said.

He reaffirmed SPLM-IO’s commitment to the full implementation of the 2018 peace deal.

He noted that the agreement was signed to end years of political conflict and reduce recurrent disputes between SPLM-IO and SPLM, which have historically triggered political instability in several states.

He warned that unilateral actions risk reopening old divisions and undermining the fragile peace and reforms intended ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the SPLM leadership in Western Equatoria State were unsuccessful, as they had not responded by the time of publication.