Authorities in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State have confiscated the headquarters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Malakal and handed it to the Agwelek forces, sparking fresh political tensions.

Michael John Jock, the SPLM-IO secretary-general under First Vice President Riek Machar, told Radio Tamazuj that the office—occupied by the party since July 2023—was seized on Monday following orders from state security advisor Gen. El Tayib Ajak.

He said Agwelek fighters, acting under the command of Maj. Gen. Paromi Angui, broke into the facility and took control. The Agwelek forces are loyal to Gen. Johnson Olony, who rejoined the government in 2023 and aligned his troops with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

The headquarters, located in Malakal’s Hai El-Rai El-Masery neighborhood near the University of Upper Nile, had remained operational until insecurity in Nasir forced its closure. Jock added that it was later taken over by a breakaway SPLM-IO faction loyal to Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, but has now been seized even from them.

“The building has now been confiscated from our former colleagues aligned with the ruling SPLM under President Salva Kiir,” Jock said, describing the move as part of growing political hostilities.

SPLM Denies Role

Jago Nyawela, the acting SPLM chairperson in Upper Nile, dismissed claims that the ruling party was behind the takeover.
“The SPLM did not confiscate the building. Our mandate is political, not military,” he stressed.

Faction Confirms Military Occupation

Muzamil Ojwok, interim chairperson of the SPLM-IO faction under Stephen Par Kuol, confirmed that the facility is now occupied by a senior SSPDF officer from Division 2.
“They entered without authorization. Authorities told us they are working to find another location for the officer and his forces,” Ojwok, who also serves as state minister of livestock and fisheries, said.

State Responds

State Security Advisor Gen. El Tayib Okuoch Ajak admitted the government was unaware of the occupation and has directed the soldiers to vacate the premises within 72 hours.

“What happened is unacceptable because the headquarters belongs to an SPLM-IO faction that supports peace,” he said.

Broader Political Fallout

The seizure comes against the backdrop of a deepening national crisis. Last week, President Salva Kiir suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, accusing him of treason and crimes against humanity over a March militia attack in Nasir County.

Machar’s SPLM-IO dismissed the allegations and declared the transitional government “collapsed” and illegitimate, vowing to push for regime change.
Meanwhile, Stephen Par Kuol’s SPLM-IO faction has reaffirmed its commitment to the 2018 peace deal and continues to work with Kiir’s ruling SPLM.