Gattiek Wichar, SPLM-IO National Youth League Chairperson for Information and Communication. [Photo: Courtesy]JUBA — The youth wing of South Sudan’s main opposition movement has backed Oyet Nathaniel Pierino as acting chairman, rejecting an attempt by Interim Secretary-General Regina Joseph Kaba to suspend him amid a deepening leadership dispute.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) National Youth League said Oyet remains the movement’s legally constituted deputy chairman and is authorized to lead while Chairman Riek Machar remains in detention.

“In light of the current internal contradictions, the SPLM (IO) National Youth League fully recognizes and stands behind Rt. Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino as the legally constituted Deputy Chairman, Acting Chairman, and Commander-in-Chief,” the group said in a statement dated Sept. 4.

Although the Sept. 4 release described the rift in broad terms as “ongoing leadership dynamics” and “internal contradictions,” it comes direct on the heels of retaliatory disciplinary orders issued by rival party executives.

On Aug. 31, Oyet issued an administrative decree suspending Kaba and seven other senior Political Bureau members over alleged misconduct. Kaba responded on Sept. 1 with a counter-directive purporting to revoke Oyet’s leadership roles, accusing him of unilateral decision-making. Senior officials, including Unity State Governor Dhoal Koryom Lingling, subsequently claimed the push to oust Oyet was directed by Machar from detention.

Rejecting Kaba’s moves, the youth league reaffirmed its loyalty to Machar as the substantive head of the movement while supporting Oyet’s interim authority.

“We categorically recognize H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon as the sole de jure Chairman and Commander-in-Chief,” the statement said.

The group called for unity and urged international partners — including regional bloc IGAD, the African Union, and the “Troika” of the United States, Britain, and Norway — to engage exclusively with party structures under Oyet’s acting leadership.

It also reiterated demands for the immediate release of Machar and other detained senior opposition figures, including Puot Kang Chol and Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam.

The statement was signed by Gattiek Wichar, spokesperson for the SPLM-IO National Youth League. Sudans Post could not immediately reach Jackson Wani, the head of the youth wing, for comment.