Taban Deng Gai, SPLM-IO Chief Negotiator in a 2014 press conference in Addis Ababa

A decision to have Taban Deng Gai step in for First Vice President Dr Riek Machar has caused a rift between SPLM-IO emerging camps.

Dr Machar left Juba during the gunfight between his forces and the national army early this month. Since then, his whereabouts is unknown.

A meeting held by the Opposition political bureau endorsed Mr Taban as the acting First Vice President until Dr Machar returns.

However, a spokesman of SPLM-IO, Nyarji Roman, says Taban has already been disowned by the opposition.

“We cannot consider him as the first vice president and the endorsement that is being done is not legal,” said Mr Nyarji, who seems

“We think President Salva Kiir wants to appoint him as the first vice president, but then, he is appointing him as a different entity, not SPLM-IO.”

For his part, another SPLM-IO spokesman, William Ezekiel, says the dismissal of Mr Taban was not procedural.

“Nobody can fire Taban Deng Gai. It is not the chairman who fires, it must be the committee,” Mr Ezekiel told Eye Radio.

“The claim by James Gatdet (Dr Riek’s spokesman) that Riek Machar issued a statement firing Taban Deng Gai is baseless and unsubstantiated.

“Gatdet is speaking from Nairobi and I believe he’s not even in contact with his chairman.”

On July 21, President Kiir appealed to his First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to come back to Juba within 48 hours, starting Thursday, in order for both leaders to implement the peace agreement.

President Kiir wanted Dr Machar to establish contact with him, according to Presidential Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny.

There has been no response so far.

• Nyarji Roman

• William Ezekiel