The SPLM has dismissed three of its senior members from the party.

President Salva Kiir, who is also the chairperson of the ruling SPLM, issued a decree last night, dismissing Dr. Riek Machar, Taban Deng Gai and Alfred Lado Gore from the SPLM political bureau, National Liberation Council and the membership of the party.

SPLM Secretary of Information and Culture Bol Makueng told Eye Radio that the dismissal was done according to the constitution of the SPLM.

“There are things discussed by the National Liberation Council which follow the normal procedure – Things like rebellion and killing, I think, the constitution cannot condone and therefore it is in line with the article of the constitution that the chairman can make decisions to deal with those matters, and the one of Taban and Riek actually is a rebellion,” said Mr Bol.

“If they do not recognize democracy as a process, let alone the SPLM as a political party, the whole constitution of South Sudan has been undermined, they don’t believe in it.”

The decree said Dr. Riek Machar, Taban Deng and Alfred Lado are no longer recognized as members of the party.

The decision relieves Dr. Riek Machar of his position as deputy chairperson of the SPLM.

Taban Deng was a member of the SPLM Politburo, while Alfred Lado was a member of the Liberation Council.