The Acting Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), Nathaniel Oyet, has arrived in the United States for a series of engagements with South Sudanese diaspora communities and American policymakers regarding the political situation in South Sudan.
Oyet arrived in Washington, D.C., where he was received by members and representatives of the SPLM/A-IO chapter in the United States. Supporters welcomed him as he begins consultations aimed at highlighting the challenges facing South Sudan and the future of the peace process.
During his visit, Oyet is expected to meet and address members of the South Sudanese community across several U.S. cities. The meetings are expected to focus on the stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, the delayed national elections, and the role of the diaspora in advocating for peace, stability, and democratic reforms in South Sudan.
Political analysts also believe that the acting opposition leader may seek consultations with U.S. lawmakers and officials in Washington. Some observers predict that he could engage with the leadership of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the congressional body responsible for overseeing U.S. foreign policy and international relations. The committee is currently chaired by Jim Risch in the United States Senate.
If such meetings take place, Oyet is expected to brief U.S. officials on several pressing issues affecting South Sudan, including the slow implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, preparations for long-delayed national elections, and the continued detention of the First Vice President, Riek Machar, who also serves as chairman of the SPLM/A-IO.
Observers say the opposition delegation is also likely to raise concerns about rising political tensions in South Sudan, restrictions on political space, and fears that the fragile peace agreement could collapse if key provisions—such as security sector reforms and the unification of forces—are not fully implemented.
Nathaniel Oyet is a senior opposition figure and a long-time member of the SPLM/A-IO. He previously served as the First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly under the unity government formed after the 2018 peace deal.
Following the detention of Riek Machar, Oyet assumed the role of acting chairman of the SPLM/A-IO, becoming one of the leading voices of the opposition movement internationally.
However, political tensions within the government later escalated, and Oyet was dismissed from his parliamentary leadership position amid disputes linked to the political crisis surrounding Machar’s detention. Facing mounting pressure and security concerns, he later left the country and has since been operating from abroad while continuing to represent the opposition movement.
His current visit to the United States is seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts by the SPLM/A-IO to engage the international community and push for renewed attention to South Sudan’s fragile peace process.
