The meeting of the SPLM/SPLA-In Opposition Political Bureau held in Juba on Tuesday rejected what it referred to as the unilateral decision by President Salva Kiir to fire National Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng and Western Equatoria State Governor Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba and demanded their reinstatement.
On Monday night, President Kiir made significant changes in government, firing two vice presidents appointed under the terms of a peace agreement, along with the National Security Service’s (NSS) Internal Security Bureau (ISB) Director General.
A copy of the resolutions signed by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who is also the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the opposition outfit said the SPLM/SPLA (IO) Political Bureau met on 11 February 2025 in Juba to discuss the Republican Decrees No. 48/2025 and No. 52/2025 dated 10 February 2025, that removed the National Minister of Health, Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng and the Governor of Western Equatoria State, H.E. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, respectively.
The Political Bureau also considered the reports of recent violations of security arrangements in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.
“After extensive deliberations, the Political Bureau resolved to reject the unilateral decision made by the President to remove Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health, and H.E. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, the Governor of Western Equatoria State, from their offices as the decrees violate the replacement and removal procedures under Article 1.13 of the R-ARCSS,” the resolutions read in part. “The Political Bureau calls on the President to reinstate Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health, and M.E. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, the Governor of Western Equatoria State, to their respective offices.”
The SPLM/SPLA (IO) also condemned the assassination attempt on the life of the Governor of Western Equatoria State and the lives of members of his family at his official residence and other SPLM-10 members in Yambio, Tombura, and Nagero counties by the elements of the SSPDF.
“The Political Bureau further condemns the ongoing atrocities meted out on the civilians and violations of Security Arrangements in Koburi Bou in Najjero County of Western Equatoria State and Ngap in Jur River County of Western Bahr El Ghazal State by the SSPDF,” the statement said. “The Political Bureau calls for the unconditional release of the Security Advisor of the Government of Western Bahr El Ghazal State and the Commissioner of Jur River County.”
The opposition outfit called on CTSAMVM to investigate the violations and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“In conclusion, the Political Bureau calls on President Salva Kiir to uphold the R-ARCSS as the persistent violations through unilateral decisions and decrees threaten the very existence of the Agreement,” the statement ended.