Allies of South Sudan's Machar Deny His Removal From Party

A group of senior generals in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) on August 4, 2021 announced they had dismissed Vice President Riek Machar as commander of the group, accusing him of reneging on the movement's vision. Machar allies dismissed the announcement, terming the move as "extreme", and could ruin the peace dividends by splitting the group. The SPLM -IO, itself a splinter group from the ruling party SPLM, also split in 2016. After Riek Machar fled Juba, President Salva Kiir appointed Taban Deng Gai as his replacement, fuelling divisions in the opposition group.

The SPLM-IO generals who announced Machar's ouster, accused him of nepotism, dictatorship, loss of vision, and abandoning SPLA-IO soldiers at the cantonment sites and training centres. SPLA-IO is the military force of SPLM-IO.

South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar has returned to Juba, an important step in ending South Sudan’s civil war.

InFocus

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.