Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak Distances Himself from New Rebel Movement, UPA
Nairobi, Kenya – January 14, 2025 – Former Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, has publicly distanced himself from the newly formed rebel movement, the United People’s Alliance (UPA). In a communication shared with the leader of the new rebel group, Gen. Pagan Amum, and seen by Alhuriya Media, Gen. Oyay congratulated the new movement’s chairman but clarified his position, stating that he remains a loyal member of the Real-SPLM and is not part of the UPA.
In his message, Gen. Oyay expressed his surprise at seeing his name listed among the members of the UPA without prior consultation. He appealed to Gen. Amum to remove his name from the movement, emphasizing his continued allegiance to the Real-SPLM. “Good afternoon comrade chairman Pagan. Just wanted to congratulate you and the comrades for the formation of the new movement/UPA. I am sorry, comrade, that I saw my name in the list of memberships today. I thought we could have consulted each other first. I am therefore appealing to your comradeship to remove my name from that movement. I remain R-SPLM,” Gen. Oyay stated.
The United People’s Alliance was formed on January 9, 2025, by various opposition groups participating in the Tumaini peace process in Kenya. The coalition includes leaders from several rebel factions, such as the Real-SPLM led by Gen. Pagan Amum, the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by Gen. Paul Malong Awan, the South Sudan United National Alliance (SSUNA) led by Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang, and other groups including the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), National People’s Movement (NPM), Upper Nile People Liberation Front (UNPLF), and the National Salvation Front – Revolutionary Command Council (NAS-RCC).
The formation of the UPA marks a significant step towards consolidating the efforts of these opposition groups. The alliance aims to present a united front in their struggle for political change in South Sudan. As the chairman of the UPA, Gen. Pagan Amum has been tasked with assigning different roles to the members of the new coalition.
However, Gen. Oyay’s decision to distance himself from the UPA highlights the complexities and challenges faced by opposition groups in maintaining unity. His statement underscores the importance of clear communication and consultation among leaders to ensure cohesive and coordinated efforts.
The SPLM, to which Gen. Oyay remains loyal, continues to be a key player in the South Sudanese political landscape. The group’s stance and future actions will likely influence the dynamics within the broader opposition movement and the newly formed UPA.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the UPA will navigate internal differences and external pressures. The alliance’s ability to maintain unity and effectively pursue its goals will be crucial in shaping the future of South Sudan’s political landscape.
