Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition

Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in Opposition
Abbreviation SPLM-IO/AGF
Leader Riek Machar
Chief of General Staffs Simon Gatwech Dual
Secretary-general Tingo Peter Regbigo[1]
Founded 2013
Headquarters Pagak, South Sudan
National Legislative Assembly
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Party flag

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (abbreviated SPLM-IO), also known as the anti-governmental forces (AGF), is a mainly South Sudanese political party and rebel group that split from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in 2013, due to political tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar over leadership of the SPLM. Tensions grew between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar and South Sudan plunged into the South Sudanese Civil War.[2]

The party and militia are led by Riek Machar.[3][4] Machar also appointed General Simon Gatwech Dual as Army Chief of General Staff, deputized by DCoGS for operations, training, political and moral orientation, logistics, administration and finance.[5]

Armed wing

SPLA-IO soldiers in April 2016.

The military forces of the SPLM-IO are known as "Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition" (abbreviated "SPLA-IO") and consist of deserters from the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), alongside the private armies of rebel warlords and tribal militias. Those elements of the South Sudanese military that joined the SPLA-IO have done so to protect tribal interests or felt marginalized by the government due to their previous membership in the SSDF.[6] Despite attempts by Machar to attract other ethnic groups to his cause, the SPLA-IO is dominated by Nuer people.[7] Parts of the SPLA-IO are known to recruit child soldiers.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Young (2017), p. 38.
  2. ↑ Niels Kastfelt, Religion and African Civil Wars, page 28.
  3. ↑ "S. Sudanese army abandons positions in Jonglei: rebel spokesperson - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  4. ↑ "South Sudan opposition head Riek Machar denies coup bid". BBC News. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  5. ↑ Cusack, Robert. "South Sudan rebels capture oil workers following $500mn contract". alaraby. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
  6. ↑ John Young (September 2015). "The SPLM-in-Opposition". Small Arms Survey. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ↑ Young (2017), pp. 36–40.
  8. ↑ Jason Patinkin (15 May 2018). "Ceasefire monitors accuse South Sudan forces, rebels of civilian killings". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2018.

Bibliography

  • Young, John (2017). ISOLATION AND ENDURANCE. Riek Machar and the SPLM-IO in 2016–17 (PDF). Geneva: Small Arms Survey. ISBN 978-2-940548-41-5.
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