SPLMIO urges AU to demand UPDF RSF expulsion from South Sudan

The SPLM-IO, which had not previously commented on RSF presence in South Sudan, now alleges the presence of these foreign forces constitutes a direct violation of existing revitalized peace agreement, citing their involvement in ongoing military campaigns and persistent ceasefire breaches.

In a formal document submitted to the African Union, the SPLM-IO accuses President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government of systematically undermining the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The document, dated April 1, 2025, and signed by SPLM-IO deputy leader Oyet Nathaniel, was addressed to Joram Mukama Biswaro, head of the AU Liaison Office in South Sudan.

It explicitly states that the presence of Ugandan and RSF forces contravenes the 2018 revitalized peace agreement’s provisions concerning a permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements.

The document also highlights the house detention of Riek Machar, the SPLM-IO leader and first vice president, placed under detention on March 26 by orders of President Kiir. Oyet, along with several other senior SPLM-IO officials, fled Juba following the arrest of key SPLM-IO members and their military chief, Gabriel Duop Lam.

“[We] reject the Invitation of Foreign Troops to the Republic of South Sudan including; the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who are participating in Military Campaign against Cantonments and Training Centres of SPLA-IO Forces in violation of Articles 2.1.5, 2.2,” the document reads.

“In light of the foregoing, we call upon unconditional withdrawal of foreign forces from the territory of South Sudan and call upon International Community to investigate the atrocities and war crimes committed against civilians in South Sudan,” it added.

The opposition’s demand follows the deployment of Ugandan forces into South Sudan last month, a move triggered by clashes between government troops and a local youth group in Upper Nile State. These developments have ignited fears of a potential escalation that could plunge the nation back into widespread civil conflict.

The demand is also a reaction to recent clashes involving the RSF in the southeastern Renk County village of Dukduk, where hundreds of SPLA-IO soldiers, including at least three senior officers, were killed or captured by RSF forces.

South Sudan government has not issued an immediate comment regarding the RSF presence but has previously acknowledged the deployment of Ugandan troops within the country following the Nasir fighting which claimed the life of the SSPDF area commander.

Machar’s group also accuses the government of unilaterally removing and replacing opposition-appointed officials, arresting key political figures, and failing to implement crucial provisions of the peace deal, notably chapter two concerning security arrangements and chapter five addressing transitional justice.

The document provides a detailed list of alleged violations, including the removal of James Udok Okuc as Upper Nile State governor, Majuob Biel Turuk as Jonglei State governor, and Alfred Futuyo Karaba as Western Equatoria State governor, all of whom were SPLM-IO or allied appointees.

The SPLM-IO also highlighted Machar’s detention, as well as the detentions of deputy army chief Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol.

The opposition group detailed alleged ongoing attacks by government and Ugandan forces against SPLM-IO positions in Western Equatoria, Western Bahr El Gazal, and Upper Nile states.

The SPLM-IO demanded the unconditional release of Machar and other detained individuals before any potential dialogue, asserting, “the arrest and detention of a signatory to an agreement shall render the agreement abrogated.”

The group urged the AU to condemn the alleged ceasefire violations and initiate an investigation into atrocities committed against civilians.

“Any dialogue…should address the above-mentioned fundamental grievances and violations and hold the perpetrators accountable,” the document stated.

“The implementation of the R-ARCSS has been fundamentally altered…as there is no political will to implement the agreement on the part of President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” the SPLM-IO asserted. The group also criticized the government’s perceived inaction regarding humanitarian assistance and refugee resettlement.

The SPLM-IO reiterated its commitment to the peace agreement, stating it “is the only framework that addresses the root causes of the conflict…and the transition to democratic governance.”

sudanspost.com