Despite his suspension, Acting SPLM-IO Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino is continuing to exercise the powers of party leadership.

His reported appointment of Gen. Simon Machiwen Kalang as the SPLM-IO governor-designate of Jonglei State raises serious political and legal questions about who currently holds legitimate authority within the movement.

Oyet’s decision indicates that he does not accept his suspension and still regards himself as the lawful Acting Chairman of the SPLM-IO.

By making appointments, he is signalling to his supporters, political rivals and the public that he remains in control of the party’s leadership structure.

However, the move risks intensifying the SPLM-IO’s internal crisis.

A political organisation cannot function effectively when rival leaders issue competing appointments and directives.

Such confusion erodes party discipline, divides supporters and creates uncertainty among military commanders and political office-holders.

The appointment of Gen. Simon Machiwen Kalang also puts SPLM-IO members in Jonglei State in a difficult position.

They must now choose whether to recognise Oyet’s authority or follow the decisions of the Political Bureau faction that announced his suspension.

This struggle is no longer limited to a single appointment.

It has become a broader contest over leadership, legitimacy and control of the SPLM-IO while its Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, remains unable to perform his duties.

Oyet may believe that continuing to make appointments demonstrates strength and safeguards his political authority. Yet leadership is not maintained through appointments alone.

It depends on institutional legitimacy, political unity and the confidence of party members.

The SPLM-IO must urgently resolve this dispute through its constitution and established party structures.

If the competing factions continue issuing contradictory decisions, the movement risks splitting into rival camps and losing influence in South Sudan’s fragile political transition.

The central question remains: Can a suspended Acting Chairman legally continue appointing party officials, or does Oyet’s latest decision amount to an open rejection of the Political Bureau’s authority?

Only a transparent and constitutional resolution can prevent the SPLM-IO crisis from becoming an irreversible political division.