JUBA – The SPLM leadership on Wednesday downplayed the resignation of Nhial Deng Nhial from the party and rejected his recent criticism of the transitional government.
Deng announced on 25th October 2025 that he left the SPLM to form South Sudan Salvation Movement. In his declaration, he accused the government of corruption and failure to restore peace in the country.
However, SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization, Bol Makueng, told a press conference in Juba that the accusations lack merits. He questions why the now opposition figure failed to address the leadership failures while he was part of the government.
“It is disheartening that Hon. Nhial seeks public sympathy by blaming the government for recurring inter and intra-tribal conflicts, citing lack of disarmament, logistical support to the army as the root causes,” Makueng started.
“We remind the public that from May 2008 to July 2011, Hon. Nhial himself was a minister in charge of the defence docket. His tenure coincided with widespread communal violence. When South Sudan was engulfed in violence during his rule, what comprehensive security strategy did Hon. Nhial implement?”
“Instead, he was frequently absent from the country, reportedly travelling to London to attend Arsenal football matches.”
On the allegations of corruption in the government, Makueng said if Deng has sufficient evidence, he should have tabled a bill in his capacity as a member of parliament to summon relevant institutions.
“Further, it is surprising that as a sitting member of the Republican Transitional National Assembly, whose mandate includes legislation and government oversight, Hon. Nhial chooses to point fingers at a tiny political elite surrounding the President, accusing them of diverting oil revenues through inflated infrastructure contracts.”
“If Hon. Nhial possesses substantive evidence, he should have introduced a private member’s bill to summon relevant ministers, finance and planning, petroleum, justice and constitutional affairs, and roads and bridges, to investigate and address these allegations transparently.”
