The Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (Real SPLM) has objected to the suspension of the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) from the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), saying the decision was only taken by some leaders.

The SSUF group led by Gen. Paul Malong Awan was suspended by the opposition alliance last week for "breaching the communication channel of SSOMA and the spirit of trust within the alliance."

This move came after Malong's former official spokesperson, Sunday de John, claimed SSUF has recently reached out to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, seeking separate peace talks.

The alliance’s leadership council said it held an extraordinary meeting on 25 September and decided with a majority vote to suspend the activities of SSUF in the opposition alliance.

However, Pagan Amum Okiech, the leader of the Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (Real SPLM) and member of the alliance’s leadership council, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the decision to suspend Paul Malong’s group from the alliance was based on an "unfair act."

"Unfortunately, a certain group within SSOMA hurriedly decided to suspend SSUF from the alliance. The Real SPLM met and objected to the decision because it violates the alliance’s systems," said Pagan Amum. "Such a hasty decision could be detrimental to the unity of the opposition and the unity of South Sudan."

According to Amum, the Leadership Council of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance will hold a meeting to discuss the recent suspension of the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) from the alliance.

In August 2019, the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) formed a three-member leadership council. The council is led by leaders of South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA), Real SPLM and SSUF.

General Thomas Cirillo Swaka is the leader of the opposition coalition South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA).

When asked if Malong’s group will be part of upcoming peace talks in Italy, Amum said: "Yes, SSUF remains part of SSOMA, and it will be part of the upcoming peace talks.  SSUF will be part of the talks because have we have not agreed on its suspension from the alliance."

"The alliance was formed to unite efforts of the opposition, so we working hard to strengthen the unity of SSOMA because it will also strengthen the unity of the people of South Sudan. We will work to find solutions to the problems that arise from time to time to maintain the unity of opposition groups."

On Tuesday, SSUF said it doesn’t recognize the suspension of its activities from the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), pointing out that the alliance’s leadership council did not meet to agree on the matter.

The group said it did not breach any communication channel as indicated in the suspension letter.

Peace talks between the government and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) are scheduled to resume next week in Rome, Italy.

The talks which were being held under the auspices of the Rome-based Sant’ Egidio Community, were put on hold in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.