Resignation Reverberates in Lakes State
Lakes State was jolted this week when Majok Maluong, chair of the Employees Justice Chamber, delivered an unexpected resignation letter to Governor Rin Tueny Mabor.
Maluong said he could no longer function under what he described as systematic political targeting of officials loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, currently under house arrest in Juba and suspended pending special-court proceedings.
Factional Split within SPLM-IO
In April a group of SPLM-IO officials announced an interim leadership under Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, pledging cooperation with President Salva Kiir’s administration while affirming support for the 2018 peace deal.
Maluong, however, affirmed allegiance to Machar, calling Par Kuol’s camp “betrayers” and insisting that the original leadership remains intact despite arrests earlier this year.
Allegations of Workplace Coercion
The former commissioner alleged that civil servants are being forced to declare loyalty to the interim leadership or risk dismissal and even detention.
He claimed several Machar supporters have already lost posts in Lakes State, with some incarcerated, creating what he termed an “untenable” environment for neutral public service.
Governor’s Rumoured Reshuffle
Maluong believes Governor Rin Tueny Mabor intended to remove him regardless, a prospect that, he says, confirmed his decision to resign before any public dismissal.
No official response has yet been issued by the governor’s office to the allegation.
Appeal for Revitalised Peace Deal
Linking his departure to Machar’s detention, Maluong called for immediate implementation of the revitalised peace agreement and the release of the First Vice President, describing the charges as “politically motivated”.
He urged national and state institutions to de-escalate internal party tensions to preserve the fragile gains achieved since 2018.
Silence from Interim Leadership
At the time of writing, neither the SPLM-IO interim leadership nor Lakes State authorities had commented publicly on Maluong’s accusations.
Observers await whether the resignation will deepen fissures within the movement or prompt renewed dialogue among the rival factions.