SPLA-IO Officers Reject SSPDF Promotions Western Bahr el Ghazal

• SPLA-IO officers in Western Bahr el Ghazal have rejected recent military promotions and integration plans into the SSPDF.
• Maj. Gen. Hakim Peter Akuei stated these promotions, allegedly confirmed by President Salva Kiir, were not agreed upon by the SPLA-IO leadership.
• Brig. Gen. Gabriel Marjan Louis affirmed that SPLA-IO officers will not recognize changes without direct instructions from their leader, Dr. Riek Machar.
• This dispute highlights ongoing delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, including the unification of forces.
• The situation is complicated by Dr. Riek Machar's house arrest in Juba since March 2025, contributing to SPLA-IO internal fragmentation.

This latest dispute over military promotions and integration serves as a stark indicator of the persistent delays plaguing the implementation of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement.

Senior officers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have publicly disavowed recent promotions and proposed integration plans involving some of their personnel into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). This rejection by SPLA-IO officers in Western Bahr el Ghazal highlights a significant South Sudan military integration dispute, casting doubt on the cohesion of national security forces. The contentious integration event reportedly took place at the Fifth Infantry Division headquarters located in Grinti, Wau, where more than one hundred SPLA-IO officers, spanning various ranks, were both promoted and decorated.

According to the authorities who oversaw this process, these promotions received confirmation directly from President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who holds the ultimate authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, Maj. Gen. Hakim Peter Akuei, who commands Sector Seven of the SPLA-IO within Western Bahr el Ghazal, conveyed to Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the SPLA-IO leadership had not sanctioned these promotions. Gen. Akuei explicitly stated that the officers whose names appeared in these promotions were not part of any process recognized by the legitimate SPLA-IO leadership.

Furthermore, Gen. Akuei leveled accusations against Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor Sherif Daniel Sherif, alleging an attempt to integrate SPLA-IO forces without prior consultation with the opposition leadership, specifically under Riek Machar. Gen. Akuei noted that there had been no communication with the governor since his appointment. It is pertinent to note that Governor Sherif himself is a prominent figure within an SPLA-IO faction led by National Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, adding another layer of complexity to the Riek Machar SPLA-IO promotions rejection.

The controversy extends beyond local promotions, with Brig. Gen. Gabriel Marjan Louis also refuting claims that a new list of SPLA-IO generals had received approval in Juba. These reports had suggested that such approvals were part of the ongoing implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. Gen. Louis reiterated the SPLA-IO’s position, asserting that the officers identified in these lists are not recognized as part of any legitimate process by the opposition group. He conveyed a sentiment of well-wishing for those who had been named and promoted, yet firmly stated that SPLA-IO officers would not acknowledge these changes without direct instructions from their leader.

Gen. Louis underscored the critical role of Dr. Riek Machar’s directive, stating, “We have not been directed by our leader, Dr. Riek Machar. Until then, we are not part of the government.” This statement clearly delineates the SPLA-IO’s conditional participation in government structures, pending explicit guidance from their chairman. The Western Bahr el Ghazal state government was not immediately available for comment regarding these significant developments, leaving a void in official responses from the regional administration. This situation underscores the Salva Kiir military command controversy, as actions taken under his authority are being directly challenged by a key peace partner.

This latest dispute over military promotions and integration serves as a stark indicator of the persistent delays plaguing the implementation of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement. A cornerstone of this accord, the unification of government and opposition forces, remains largely unfulfilled, contributing to Western Bahr el Ghazal security instability and broader national uncertainty. The ongoing tensions between the government and Riek Machar further complicate this already fragile process, with the SPLA-IO promotions rejection being a direct manifestation of these unresolved issues.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Dr. Riek Machar has been under house arrest in Juba since March 2025, a circumstance that has fueled internal disputes and fragmentation within the SPLA-IO leadership itself. This leadership vacuum and internal strife make consensus-building and unified action increasingly difficult for the opposition. The continued challenges in integrating forces and the lack of agreement on key military appointments signal a protracted period of political and security instability in South Sudan, impacting the overall trajectory of the 2018 South Sudan peace agreement delays and the nation's path toward lasting peace.

This development signals continued political and security instability in South Sudan, particularly concerning the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and the unification of forces. Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients on heightened operational risks, potential disruptions to business, and the uncertain enforcement environment due to fragmented military command structures and ongoing political disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj.