The SPLM/A-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar,
has suspended its participation in the political and security mechanisms of the
2018 peace agreement in protest against the detention of its officials.
In a statement issued on Monday, Deputy Chairman Oyet
Nathaniel Pierino cited concerns over the credibility and composition of the
peace implementation mechanisms.
Following consultations, the party announced its withdrawal
from the Joint Defense Board (JDB), High-Level Political Committee (HLPC),
Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), and Joint Transitional Security
Committee (JTSC) until all detained officials and military officers are
released.
“All the participation of the members of the said security
and political mechanisms is hereby frozen with immediate effect until all the
SPLM/SPLA-IO political detainees are unconditionally released,” Oyet wrote.
While some, including Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Phar,
were released, several opposition figures remain in detention.
These include Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, Deputy CDF
Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, MP Gatwech Lam Puoch, Camilo Gatmai Kel, and 19 others.
The opposition leader stated that while suspending
participation in the mechanisms, SPLM-IO members will continue attending RJMEC
Plenary Sessions to demand the unconditional release of their detained
colleagues, including the First Vice President, from any form of confinement.
“The act of arresting and detaining a signatory to the
R-ARCSS and the ongoing political witch-hunts continue to threaten the very
essence and the existence of the revitalized agreement,” he stated.
The arrest and detention of opposition officials follows the
conflict in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, between government forces (SSPDF)
and the White Army, an armed militia allied with the SPLM-IO.
Despite last week's IGAD heads of state summit calling for
the release of all political detainees, Information Minister Michael Makuei
stated that the government had removed immunity for the detained officials to
be investigated, and those found innocent will be released.
“Those who are constitutional postholders, their immunity
has been lifted, and they are there to be investigated,” Makuei said.
"...because we cannot condone anybody who is within the
government and working hard to overthrow the very government in which he is a
part. This cannot happen at all.”
The SPLM-IO, a key party to the 2018 peace agreement that
ended a five-year conflict, has suspended its participation in the mechanisms
established by the deal.
This decision comes following the escalating tensions in the
Upper Nile region, which have led to the ongoing arrest of opposition members
and prompted the government to seek military intervention from Uganda.
Additionally, the suspension comes after the former detainee and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Phar, from the Machar-led party, announced last week that a meeting would be held to discuss security arrangements.
