JUBA—President Salva Kiir has revoked the appointment of several top SPLM-IO lawmakers in the transitional legislature, including First Deputy Speaker of TNLA Oyet Nathaniel, Council of State Speaker Deng Deng Akon, and SPLM-IO chief whip Faruk Gatkuoth.
Oyet is the most senior opposition official loyal to detained First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and has since acted as the party’s chairman.
Kiir also removed SPLM-IO lawmakers Juol Nhomngek, Gai Mayen Luk, Matata Frank, and Regina Kaba, who is also the party’s secretary general.
In their place, Kiir appointed Daniel Akot Akot and Wani Elia to the Council of States and John Oto Marino, Malong Achirin Ngor, Julia Simon Rial, and Peter Charlaman to the National Legislative Assembly. It is not clear if the position of First Deputy Speaker is maintained or dissolved.
Further, Kiir relieved Western Equatoria deputy governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa and appointed Justin Morona from the SPLM-IO in his place. It is unclear if Morona is from which SPLM-IO faction.
This happened after President Kiir recently appointed James Altaib as Western Equatoria governor, replacing SPLM-IO’s Alfred Futuyo, who was fired in February 2025.