Stephen Par Kuol, the Minister of Peace Building. (Courtesy).

JUBA, (Eye Radio) – Senior SPLM-IO member Stephen Par Kuol has rejected his suspension, along with three other colleagues, stating that Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel has no authority to suspend them.

On Monday morning, Oyet Nathaniel, the acting chairperson of SPLM/A-IO, announced the suspension of Par, who is also the Peace-building Minister, and three others. Oyet accused them of plotting to replace First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

In an interview with Radio Tamzuj, Par denied any such plans, stating, “We have not made any declaration to remove Riek Machar. Even if we did, it would be unconstitutional because only the party’s convention can remove someone from their position.”

Par emphasized that he could only be dismissed through a disciplinary process within the political bureau. “We follow our internal rules, and if there’s any misconduct, an investigation should take place first,” he added.

Par also accused Oyet of defecting from the SPLM-IO, claiming that by leaving the chairman in Juba.

“Oyet has defected because he left the chairman and the National Liberation Council in Juba,” Par said. “How many members of the political bureau are with him now in the bush?”

Meanwhile, SPLM-IO political bureau member Agok Makur described Nathaniel’s actions as unacceptable and labeled them as part of an April Fool’s joke.