South Sudan’s main opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), is grappling with a worsening leadership crisis after its acting chairman suspended several senior officials.

Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the deputy chairman serving as acting chairman since the detention of party leader Dr. Riek Machar, defended the suspensions as a disciplinary measure in line with the party’s constitution and rules.

“The suspension is administrative procedure. Administrative procedure is also disciplinary in nature,” Oyet said on Tuesday.

On Monday, Oyet suspended Interim Secretary-General Regina Joseph Kaba and seven other senior officials, accusing them of conduct aimed at undermining the party’s constitutional principles and destabilising its leadership.

Those affected include Gabriel Gabriel Deng, Pai Mai Deng, Matata Frank Elikana, Paul Baba Ezbon, Reath Muoch Tang, Ambassador James Dyeem and Ambassador Jordan Manpiny.

Kaba rejected the move and issued a counter-order the same day suspending Oyet from his positions as deputy chairman and acting chairman.

The competing orders have exposed a widening rift and raised questions over who holds authority over the party’s political and military structures.

Oyet said the suspended officials remain party members but will face investigations. He accused some Political Bureau members outside South Sudan of trying to interfere with the party’s constitutional principles and planning to destabilise it, though he provided no details.

He urged supporters to remain calm, describing the dispute as normal internal administrative processes meant to ensure no one is above the law.

In her statement, Kaba said the Political Bureau is the party’s highest executive organ and had reaffirmed collective leadership on 27 August.

She accused Oyet of gross misconduct, unilateral decisions and causing “deaths, division, and friction.”

She ordered him to stop claiming authority and directed party structures not to recognise his directives.

Kaba said she had been authorised to serve as interim deputy chairperson.The rival claims leave the SPLM-IO with competing centres of authority.

The dispute follows years of turmoil. Machar was detained in March 2025 and is on trial in Juba over allegations linked to fighting in Nasir; he has denied wrongdoing.

A Juba-based faction led by Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol has backed the government’s election timetable, while Oyet’s faction retains influence among sections of the opposition and its military wing.

The competing suspensions risk further fragmenting the movement.