STAFF| The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has reaffirmed Hon. Regina Joseph Kaba’s position as the movement’s Acting Chairperson, while denying allegations linking its leadership to the armed group commonly known as the White Army.
Addressing the 126th session of the Special Court, Machar reportedly stated that neither he nor Regina Joseph Kaba, who currently serves as Acting Chairperson, commands or has any connection to the White Army.
“Finally, I would re-emphasize that I am not the commander of the so-called White Army, for the reasons I have stated. Even the person who is the acting chairperson now, Hon. Regina Joseph Kaba, is not a commander of the White Army,” Machar said.
His remarks come amid reported internal divisions within the SPLM-IO over the movement’s leadership, with one faction reportedly backing Hon. Oyet Nathalan as its leader.
The disagreements have also been reflected in the movement’s leadership communications, where Oyet’s name has reportedly been removed, further raising questions about the group’s internal leadership arrangements.
In his address, Machar also defended the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), particularly the arrangements for the training and unification of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).
He explained that 17 training centres had been established for the unified forces, comprising members of the SPLA-IO, South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
According to Machar, nine centres were designated for military forces, six for the police, Civil Defence and Wildlife services, and two for the National Security Service.
He further stated that under the agreement, the SPLM/A-IO forces were confined to 25 cantonment sites and 32 assembly areas, while SSPDF forces remained in their barracks and deployment stations in accordance with the power-sharing arrangements.
Machar argued that the transitional government had the authority to appoint governors and commissioners across the country, including in areas previously under SPLM/A-IO control.
“There are no parallel governments and no two states,” he said, rejecting claims attributed to Vice-President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Paul Balok and Hon. Kuol Manyang.
Machar’s statement comes at a time of heightened political uncertainty within the SPLM-IO, with competing leadership positions raising concerns about the movement’s unity and the broader implementation of the peace agreement.
The 126th session of the Special Court has therefore provided another platform for Machar to address allegations concerning the White Army and clarify his position on the SPLM-IO’s leadership and the transitional governance arrangements.
