JUBA, (Eye Radio) – Political leaders hailing from the Nuer community, as well as lawmakers from the SPLM party, have called for the immediate resignation of Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, accusing him of making divisive and ethnically charged statements against the Nuer community.

### Divisive Statements Spark Outrage

This follows a press briefing held by Dr. Lomuro on April 26, during which he reportedly categorized the Nuer community as both “friendly and hostile” in the context of national politics.

In a joint statement signed by senior Nuer political leaders known as the Nuer Leadership Peace Forum, including Hon. James Hoth Mai, Hon. Michael Chiangjiek, Dr. John Jooyul, Hassen Deng Gatpan, and Hon. Wiu Kuon, the group condemned what it termed “a derogatory and inflammatory statement.”

### Calls for Resignation and Legal Action

The leaders urged President Salva Kiir to remove Dr. Lomuro from his roles as Cabinet Affairs Minister and Secretary of the High-Level Committee overseeing the peace agreement implementation. They further cautioned that the Nuer Leadership Peace Forum reserves the right to pursue legal action, emphasizing that ethnic profiling constitutes a violation of South Sudanese law.

### Accusations Against Dr. Lomuro

The Forum accused Dr. Lomuro of using his position to defame the Nuer identity and stir ethnic tensions instead of focusing on national unity. They also blamed him for allegedly fueling conflict within his community in Wonduruba, Juba County, and Lainya.

According to the statement, Dr. Lomuro’s remarks risk inciting hostility between the Nuer and other ethnic groups and damaging the historical contributions of the Nuer to the country’s liberation.

### Reactions and Clarifications

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, later clarified that the statement of Dr. Lomuro was not directed to the whole Nuer ethnic group but only to organised armed groups in those areas. Dr. Akech emphasized that the government would address these isolated cases of organized groups within communities through the implementation of Chapter Five of the peace agreement, which focuses on reconciliation among communities.

In a separate statement, Nuer SPLM Members in the national parliament “strongly” condemned Dr. Lomuro’s statement, which profiled the Nuer community as either “friendly” or “hostile” to the government. The MPs have also called on President Kiir to immediately remove him from his leadership positions.

### Conclusion

The ongoing controversy surrounding Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro’s remarks highlights the delicate nature of ethnic relations in South Sudan and the importance of promoting unity and inclusivity in governance. As political leaders and lawmakers continue to push for accountability and reconciliation, the path to lasting peace and stability in the country remains a collective effort that must prioritize the well-being and interests of all South Sudanese citizens.

Nuer Leaders Call for Dismissal of Minister Over Divisive Comments

Nuer community leaders in Juba are demanding the dismissal of Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro for his divisive remarks labeling certain Nuer-majority counties as “hostile” to the government. The backlash stems from Lomuro’s comments categorizing specific counties as either “friendly” or “hostile” based on their perceived loyalty to President Salva Kiir’s administration.

Accusations of Incitement and “Genocidal Profiling”

The Nuer leaders accuse Lomuro of incitement and “genocidal profiling” for his statements, which they believe exacerbate ethnic tensions in a country still recovering from civil war. Lomuro’s remarks singled out counties such as Nasir, Ulang, Akobo, Nyirol, Uror, Fangak, Ayod, Rubkona, and Panyijiar, alleging their alignment with the opposition SPLM-IO led by detained First Vice President Riek Machar.

Condemnation and Calls for Action

Critics have condemned Lomuro’s comments, warning of the dangerous implications of his rhetoric on ethnic divisions. The Nuer Leadership Peace Forum, led by Labor Minister Gen. James Hoth Mai, rejected attempts to downplay the controversy, labeling Lomuro’s words as a “dangerous escalation” that could undermine peace efforts in the region.

Appeal to President Kiir

The Nuer leaders have called on President Kiir to dismiss Lomuro, citing protections against discrimination in the U.N. Charter. They emphasize the need to address inflammatory language that could further strain relations between ethnic groups, particularly in light of existing tensions from recent conflicts in Jonglei and Equatoria.

Ongoing Instability in South Sudan

South Sudan, a nation that gained independence in 2011, continues to grapple with instability despite a fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar. The failure to establish lasting peace has raised concerns ahead of the scheduled elections in December 2026.

As tensions escalate, the Nuer community leaders remain adamant in their demand for accountability and unity in a country striving for stability and reconciliation.

Acting SPLM-IO Chairperson Rejects Government’s Proposed Peace Plan

Unilateral Decision

The Acting Chairperson of SPLM-IO loyal to detained First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, Oyet Nathaniel, has expressed disagreement with the proposed peace plan unveiled by Cabinet Minister Dr. Elia Lomuro. Oyet stated that the plan was not the position of all peace parties but rather a unilateral decision of the incumbent government.

Proposed Action Plans

Dr. Lomuro announced action plans to speed up the peace deal and proposed the government’s recognition of a legitimate SPLM-IO faction. He also suggested restructuring leadership positions left vacant by detained or absent members of the group. Oyet Nathaniel responded by stating that the plan presented by Dr. Lomuro was invalid as it was not reached at a meeting of the Presidency, Cabinet, and the High-Level Standing Committee (HLSC).

Opposition’s Stance

Oyet Nathaniel emphasized that the response seeks to legitimize violations of the peace agreement and is a unilateral position of the incumbent government component. He also distanced the opposition group from the White Army and called for the unconditional release of Dr. Riek Machar and all political detainees for sustainable peace and stability in the country.

Internal Split within SPLM-IO

The SPLM-IO is currently experiencing internal split following the house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar. Oyet Nathaniel, the acting chairman of SPLM-IO, suspended several senior members accused of conspiring with President Salva Kiir’s government to replace Machar. The Juba faction rejected their suspension, leading to a leadership crisis within the party.

Government’s Response

Information Minister Michael Makuei addressed the issue of vacant positions from the SPLM-IO docket and emphasized the need to resolve these vacancies for the smooth functioning of the transitional government. Makuei outlined the internal divisions within the SPLM-IO and clarified that it is up to the SPLM-IO’s transitional or interim body to request the appointment of replacements for vacant positions.

Conclusion

The disagreement between the Acting SPLM-IO Chairperson and the government highlights the challenges in implementing the peace agreement in South Sudan. The internal split within the SPLM-IO further complicates the situation, emphasizing the need for dialogue and cooperation to achieve lasting peace and stability in the country.