RUMBEK – The suspended Cueibet County commissioner in Lakes State, Daniel Deng Mario, has resigned from the crisis-hit SPLM-IO party and joined the SPLM, citing pressure from his community and the party’s division.
In an interview with Juba Witness, Mario confirmed the authenticity of his resignation letter, which was widely circulated on social media.
“I resigned willingly from SPLM-IO as a party. There are a lot to say but few to put forward, he said.
“The opposition party is supposed to get united for the common good of the citizens, but the SPLM-IO has been divided into sections and if I look at this situation, it (party) is not ready for the common good of the citizens.”
Mario said he made the choice to switch camps after listening to the call of his community. “It was a tough decision to make. But, in fact, it was a call and they persistently engaged me in the opposition to make their interest.”
“My family members, friends and acquaintances all over the country pushed me to leave and at last I quiet agree in successful with them and I left SPLM-IO amid of their interest”.
The suspended commissioner said he still believe in political freedom and pluralistic politics, expressing dismay at what he described as a wrong perception against opposition in the country.
“People do not want me to put the opposition party as a priority. If you investigate it, when anybody speak brilliantly telling ideas. Their ideas will never be taken well. But he will always be called a rebel, IO and all sorts of names would be mentioned and that the opinions or ideas will never take for the betterment of the community.”
Mario said will remain a vocal leader who speaks independently without intimidation. He said the decision to abandon Machar’s is due to leadership gap.
“Like the current situation where Dr. Riek Machar has been under house for sometimes. Of course, Dr. Riek Machar is a leader but the situation he is in now doesn’t allow most of us to wait until when he comes when we have energy to help people in one way or another.”
“It’s not an issue of resigning. So, I can be relieved even today or tomorrow. There is no problem. Already, I have been suspended, and I am still on suspension and if they relieved me, it’s all up to them because the position belongs to them and to the party. It’s up to them the SPLM-IO to nominate someone to replace me.”
Mario dismissed allegations that he was intimidated into resignation, saying he took the decision as a politician and not as a result of political coercion.
The SPLM-IO has faced significant internal and external political crises in 2025, primarily stemming from leadership disputes, violations of the Revitalized Agreement, and escalating violence. These challenges have severely impacted the peace process and the stability of the country.