JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has strongly condemned President Salva Kiir’s decision to remove two of its senior officials, calling it a violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
In a presidential decree broadcast on SSBC, Kiir dismissed Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, the National Minister of Health, and Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba of Western Equatoria State.
Reacting to the move, Puok Both Baluang, the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, denounced the decision as unilateral and unconstitutional within the framework of the peace agreement.
“We would like to inform our members and the general public that today’s presidential decrees issued by H.E. President Salva Kiir, relieving Hon. Yolanda Awel as National Minister of Health and H.E. Alfred Futuyo Karaba as Governor of Western Equatoria State, represent a unilateral decision.
The SPLM-IO leadership did not decide on their removal. Therefore, we consider this another serious violation of the Revitalized Agreement by the SPLM-IG.”
Baluang emphasized that under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), any removal of SPLM-IO officials from government structures must be decided by the party itself.
“We wish to state unequivocally that when the SPLM-IO leadership decides to replace any of its members serving in government structures under the R-ARCSS, the party will nominate a replacement by notifying the president concurrently.”
The SPLM-IO’s response underscores growing tensions within the unity government as the country navigates its fragile peace process.
 has strongly condemned President Salva Kiir’s decision to remove two of its senior officials, calling it a violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.){kind=link}