SPLM members defect to opposition in Aweil
By Hou Akot Hou
Two officials of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party led by President Salva Kiir have defected to the opposition in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.
Bona Bak Apeny, the state party director for information, culture and communication and Gabriel Bol Dut, the assistant director for state affairs filed in their resignation letters dated 17th June 2023.
One of the SPLM officials who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisal from his bosses in the party, said the duo were frustrated by their bosses after their proposals for the party to run efficiently were never taken into account.
The source added the two officials joined the SPLM-in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under First Vice President Riek Machar, who is set to rival Kiir in the upcoming elections slated for December 2024.
“We are not sure what is going to happen if the news reaches the SPLM party chairperson of the state who is the governor of the state. It is shocking to lose these key members in succession,” he said.
The source said Bona Bak Apeny posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, alleging that some security officials summoned him after learning of his defection to the SPLM-IO.
Apeny and his colleague Bol were seen with the SPLM-IO officials in a photo making rounds on social media.
The resignation of the officials has hit hard the SPLM loyalists with some blaming senior party members for ignoring their views.
