(JW) – The holdout SPLM-IO faction led by Oyet Nathaniel has reappointed Alfred Futuyo Karaba as Western Equatorial governor, months after President Kiir replaced him.
Futuyo was fired in February 2025 and replaced by James Altaib. He then fled with several of his party members – a situation that later plunged the state into fragility.
In a letter published on Saturday, SPLM-IO Acting Chairman Oyet Nathaniel, citing several provisions of the 2018 peace deal and his powers, claimed he reversed the dismissal and reinstated Futuyo as governor.
While the matter in which Oyet reinstated Futuyo is not in accordance with the agreement which mandates the President as the only appointing authority.
However, the South Sudan peace deal which guaranteed the power-sharing among peace parties has hit major hurdles in recent months, with observers warning it is on the verge of collapse.
Major fighting erupted in March this year between the army and local youths alleged backed by SPLA-IO in southern Upper Nile – an in incident that claimed lots of lives and displaced tens of thousands, according to aid agencies.
Subsequently, several SPLM-IO politicians and military leaders including Dr. Riek Machar were detained in Juba, accused of instigating rebellion. This forced others, including Oyet go into hiding.
