The SPLM in Opposition say it’s planning to form its own political party soon, citing SPLM’s refusal to implement to the Arusha agreement.

The January 2015 signed document was meant to reunite the three factions of SPLM: the SPLM mainstream, the SPLM in Opposition, and the former political detainees.

However, the IO says the SPLM in the government violated the agreement in January this year when it conducted an extraordinary convention without the SPLM IO.

They say the party’s liberation council will come up with the structure of the party in the next few days.

“This issue is under the IO liberation council which will decide in the next meeting scheduled to take place soon. The council will also decide the name and structures of the party,” said Sabit Magok, a senior SPLM-IO official.

“In fact, during our last meeting in Pagak, the political bureau recommended that the SPLM-IO will form its own political party because the SPLM in the government is not committed to the Arusha agreement.”

Efforts to reach the SPLM for comment were not successful.

The SPLM in Opposition is an armed movement led by Dr Riek Machar. It was formed shortly after the alleged December 2013 coup attempt.