Stephen Par Kuol (David Bell/CBC file photo) April 9, 2025 JUBA
A group of senior SPLM-IO party members in Juba on Wednesday endorsed Stephen Par Kuol, the country’s peacebuilding minister, as the party’s interim leader, replacing detained chairman Dr. Riek Machar.
Kuol will serve until Machar is released from house arrest. However, the meeting to establish the interim leadership was largely boycotted by top SPLM-IO officials, including Interior Minister Angelina Teny, Mining Minister Martin Abucha and Secretary-General Regina Kaba.
The faction supporting Kuol includes Federal Affairs Minister Lasuba Wango, Council of States Speaker Deng Deng Akon and former Deputy Finance Minister Agok Makur. Analysts say the controversial move could lead to Machar’s removal as first vice president, a position created for him under Article 1.7.2 of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement.
This marks the second major rift within Machar’s party. In July 2016, then-chief negotiator Taban Deng, now vice president, replaced Machar after deadly clashes in Juba.
Addressing reporters after the meeting at a hotel, Kuol said discussions focused on peace commitments, the status of deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel and the formation of interim leadership amid Machar’s detention.
“The SPLM-IO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, both in letter and spirit,” Kuol said. “We believe this agreement is the sole pathway to lasting peace and reconciliation among South Sudan’s diverse communities.”
From left: Lasuba Wango, Stephen Par Kuol and Agok Makur at a consultative meeting
He called for Machar’s immediate release and an end to military clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters.
“The National Liberation Council urgently calls for the immediate release of SPLM-IO Chairman Dr. Riek Machar Teny and all comrades detained following recent clashes in Nasir involving armed civilians and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces,” Kuol said. “This detention undermines the principles of peace and dialogue essential for our nation’s recovery.”
He added: “The SPLM-IO leadership urges parties involved in ongoing military offensives to create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue. The SSPDF’s advance toward Ulang County, particularly efforts to redeploy in Nasir Town, must halt to allow political solutions.”
Regarding Nathaniel, Kuol said the Juba-based group had cut ties with him.
“We delink ourselves from Hon. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino and henceforth resolve to treat him as former deputy chairman and commander-in-chief,” he said. “This decision is informed by the fact that SPLM-IO headquarters has been in Juba since the unity government’s formation. The party cannot be led by self-exiled leaders—decisions are made where the government is established, not remotely.”
Kuol announced the interim leadership: himself as chairperson, Losuba Ludoru Wongo as interim deputy and Agok Makur Kur as interim secretary-general.
When asked if the decision aligned with the 2018 peace agreement or amounted to a coup, Kuol dismissed the suggestion.
“The decision is in line with the agreement. The NLC is the lawmaking body of SPLM-IO, so it is legitimate and constitutional,” he said. “Is this a coup? A coup against whom? Our chairman remains Dr. Riek Machar Teny until the next convention. We have resolved a leadership crisis caused by his detention and the desertion of other leaders.”
On Monday, Nathaniel suspended Kuol and three others, accusing them of conspiring with President Salva Kiir to oust Machar. Kuol called the suspension “the joke of the year.”
Since Machar’s detention, several senior SPLM-IO members have fled the country or gone into hiding. Tensions escalated after Kiir placed Machar under house arrest on March 26 following clashes in Upper Nile state that killed a general and several soldiers.
South Sudan’s government sought military support from Uganda, with Defense Minister Jacob Oboth confirming Kiir’s March 10 request to avert a security crisis.
The rift coincides with a two-year extension of South Sudan’s transitional period, delaying elections until December 2026.
Regional concerns over instability prompted an African Union delegation to visit Juba last week, though they were barred from meeting Machar. The visit followed mediation efforts by regional bloc IGAD, led by Kenyan envoy Raila Odinga, who said his request to meet Machar was denied. Radio Tamazuj
A 40-year-old woman has found herself on the wrong side of the law for allegedly putting drugs in a man's drinks at a club before stealing.
Margaret Makena, according to court documents, laced the drinks of a fellow patron (name withheld) with still no tabs, a stupefying drug, on July 1 at a resort in Njiru Sub-county.
Margaret is also said to have stolen Sh560,000 from the complainant on the same night after he lost consciousness due to drugging.
On the material day, the complainant went to the resort to grab a few drinks when he found it full to capacity since there was a Mugithi night.
He sat at a table where he was joined by a lady and later two men. They all had fun until the complainant paid his bills at around 5:30 pm when the complainant lost consciousness until the following day, when he regained consciousness at a bush past Thika town at around 3 pm having only his inner garment.
His shirt, trouser, socks and shoes had been scattered 800 meters away from where he had been dumped. His mobile phone and an empty wallet was placed near him. Previously, the wallet had Sh 120,000 in cash but was at the same time missing.
He collected his clothes and wore them. He sent his wife the location to pick him up after narrating to her what had happened to him. He later reported the matter to authorities.
This year, on April 4, the complainant spotted Makena at Jam Rescue and tipped the police, who arrested her. Makena was later presented before the principal magistrate Renee Kitagwa where she denied the accusations.
She was granted a bond of Sh 200,000 and an alternative cash bail of Sh 100,000. The matter shall be heard on July 9. By Lilian Chepkoech, The Standard
The spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN is concerned about the welfare of civilians fleeing insecurity in Blue Nile State, in the south-east of Sudan, as well as the lack of access for humanitarians to reach them.
Stéphane Dujarric, while briefing the media on Monday in New York, said local authorities estimate that 4,000 people displaced from Ullu and other towns in Baw locality have been moving north-east toward the state capital of Ed Damazine, which is about 230 kilometres away.
“So far, some 600 people have arrived and are sheltering at a displacement site. Ongoing insecurity and bureaucratic constraints have prevented humanitarian partners from reaching impacted areas, he stated. “We call again for safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need.”
“New arrivals from South Sudan have also been reported in other parts of Blue Nile in recent weeks, demonstrating the growing complexity of the situation in the region,” Dujarric added. Radio Tamazuj
Former Chief Justice David Maraga. PHOTO/@dkmaraga/X
Former Chief Justice David Maraga now says the country needs a fresh start. In a statement on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Maraga, who is eying the top seat in 2027, says the country’s economy, education and healthcare are on the verge of collapsing if not salvaged soon.
According to Maraga, the country is also faced with deteriorating relationships with its neighbours and other countries in the continent.
“Now more than ever, it is clear that Kenya needs a reset. We must end impunity and corruption. We must save our collapsing economy, education and healthcare. We must reset relations with our brothers and sisters in the region and Africa,” Maraga stated.
Maraga says there have been several violations of the constitution, calling for urgent action to bring to book those who have flagrantly violated the Constitution.
“We must push for fidelity to our Constitution and its full implementation. We must bring to book and hold accountable those who have flagrantly violated the Constitution. It is time for true change. For a reset,” Maraga added.
This comes a day after Maraga asked the youth to stop concentrating on online and street activism alone, and instead aim to capture power by joining competitive politics.
Maraga says the young people can bring the change they want in the country if only they clinch leadership positions during elections.
Speaking during the Kenya Ideas Festival held in Nairobi on Monday, April 7, 2025, Maraga asked the older generation to support the youth and help them get into leadership positions.
“As a person who belongs to the older age category, I have served this country and its people and I have made my small contribution to change. However, just like any other parent or older person, and justifiably so, I worry about the future the country holds for your children, grandchildren and the heritage we will leave for our young people,” he stated.
“Those of us from the older generation must support the youth to be at the helm of implementing that change. We need young people, not just on the streets and online. We need them on the political leadership of the country. We need them in county assemblies, in parliament and public institutions. We must dismantle the barriers that keep them out.” By Francis Muli, People Daily
Soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment have been stepping up their training ahead of a major deployment to Kenya. The unit has been conducting live-fire exercises, sharpening their battlefield skills. After years focused on training allied forces, they are now preparing for their own operations.
Shifting focus to warfighting
For the past few years, the Royal Anglian Regiment has been focused on security force assistance, helping train allied forces around the world. Now, they are sharpening their own combat skills as they prepare for a major exercise in Kenya.
Major Jet Ryan, Officer Commanding A Company, 1 Royal Anglian, explained the significance of the transition. "We've recently moved into tactical recce strike, so really honing our warfighting skills and getting back to those basic infantry skills," he said.
"But what is really crucial is that the skills we've learned during security force assistance we've brought forward, you know, so we're still really capable with interoperability.
"We operate with partners and we will always do that as part of Nato, and we will take that forward as we go forward with warfighting."
The infanteers were at Otterburn for their live-fire exercise
Live-fire training under pressure
The exercise replicates battlefield conditions, ensuring soldiers can make rapid decisions under fire. Lance Corporal Cameron Donald, a section 2IC from A Company, 1 Royal Anglian, described his role in the drills.
"I have to ensure that if there's a fire support element that they are not being unsafe inside the other arcs, they're maintaining a good rate of fire through the attack, constantly moving when they need to move fire and we need to fire and also balance and ammunition throughout that element and through the section," he explained.
The added pressure of a fire support element is designed to test the soldiers' ability to execute precise battlefield manoeuvres. Private Tom Birch, A Company, 1 Royal Anglian, emphasised the importance of staying sharp. "No matter how long you've been in you'll get skill fade," he said.
"So it's important to stay on top of the skills so that whenever we're needed, wherever is in the world, the skills are up to the highest level.
"Kenya might be a training exercise for the Army, but that level of skills and drills allows us to function in potential real-life scenarios."
Having spent months passing on their expertise to partner forces, the Royal Anglian soldiers are now focused on honing their own capabilities as they prepare for their upcoming exercise in Kenya.
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