A splinter group, within the Lou Nuer community, which calls itself Lou Nuer in Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has emerged, announcing its exit from the mainstream SPLM-IO led by Dr. Riek Machar Monday, citing poor leadership and marginalization.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday, Jamus Yuot Dak, the group’s interim leader, said his group decided to abandon Machar’s SPLM-IO because of bad leadership and marginalization of the Lou Nuer community.
Yuot, a former SPLM-IO commissioner for the now-defunct Akobo East County, said his group will not engage in any activities which will derail the 2018 peace deal, but that they had to break away to demand the representation of the Lou Nuer community in governance.
“As a Lou community, we are not defecting to any party. We are still SPLM-IO loyalists but with a different administration. We are not under Riek Machar. We have been neglected so we claiming our rights,” he stressed.
He added, “As Lou, this move will not divide us because it is a community voice. In the coming weeks, all Lou community members will meet to see how we can move forward. Now, we are struggling so that we remain united as Lou.”
Khan Yiec, former Akobo town deputy mayor, welcomed the group decision, claiming it has the backing from the majority of Lou Nuer members.
“This decision represents the voice of Lou Nuer even those of us in the government. In the Lou Nuer areas, civilians are suffering without services yet they fought for Riek Machar to get his position,” he said.
John Daniel Bol, the spokesperson of SPLM-IO in the greater Lou Nuer area, rubbishes the group claims as baseless and unfounded, saying Lou as a community remains part of SPLM-IO led by Dr. Riek Machar.
“It is unfortunate that the group uses the name of the entire community for their own interest. We condemn such acts because now we are in peace. Those are just power-hungry people. The leader of the group is not an SPLM-IO member. He defected to the government last year after losing his seat as a commissioner," he said.
The official pointed out that the situation remains calm in the Lou Nuer areas under SPLM-IO.
“According to our arrangements. We have 12 counties and Mr. Jamus was just a commissioner of Akobo East. And even as we speak, they are doing all these things in Juba. There on the ground, we control the situation,” he said.
Puok Baluang, a senior member of SPLM-IO, downplayed the defection, saying it will not affect the running of the party.
“All the reasons cited are mere propaganda. They try to tarnish the reputation of SPLM-IO leadership. If they decide to resign from SPLM-IO, no one will force them to stay in the party. So all we can say is we wish them good luck in their new call,” he said.
The opposition official, however, pointed out that SPLM-IO would be ready to welcome back the group.