Juba | 1 July, 2026
South Sudan’s political landscape has undergone another significant shift after the Political Parties Council (PPC) officially registered the IO Party, the political organization led by Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol. The registration formally completes the group’s transition from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) name as the country prepares for its first-ever general elections since gaining independence in 2011.
The newly recognized IO Party emerged following the political crisis that unfolded after the detention of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar in March 2025. In the months that followed, senior SPLM-IO officials loyal to Stephen Par Kuol announced an interim leadership, creating a separate political structure that has now been granted full legal status.
According to the Political Parties Council, the IO Party successfully fulfilled all legal, financial and administrative requirements stipulated under South Sudan’s Political Parties Act, making it one of five political organizations granted official registration on Tuesday.
The Council also confirmed that the party’s change of identity from SPLM-IO to the IO Party has been formally entered into the national register of political parties, cementing its status as an independent political entity.
Alongside the IO Party, four other political parties received full registration. These include the National Democratic Movement (NDM) under Dr. Lam Akol, the People’s Liberal Party (PLP) led by Peter Mayen Majongdit, the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) headed by Moro Isaac Jenesio, and the Revive South Sudan Party (RSSP), founded by Peter Biar Ajak and currently led on an interim basis by Maiwen Ngalueth.
Political Parties Council Chairperson James Akol Zakayo announced that South Sudan now has a total of 36 legally recognized political parties. He noted that June 30 marked the final deadline for political organizations intending to contest the December 22, 2026 general elections to complete their registration, although the law still permits political parties to register beyond the election timeline.
The recognition of the IO Party represents a major political development within the opposition movement and formally separates Stephen Par Kuol’s faction from the SPLM-IO led by Dr. Riek Machar. The new faction has already been recognized by President Salva Kiir’s government as the official counterpart representing the opposition in implementing the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Meanwhile, Dr. Machar remains in detention in Juba where he is facing treason-related charges. His supporters continue to dismiss the accusations, arguing that his detention has weakened the implementation of the peace agreement and complicated the country’s political transition.
The latest political developments come as South Sudan intensifies preparations for the long-awaited elections scheduled for December 22, 2026—the first national polls since independence. The National Elections Commission announced the election date earlier this month in accordance with legal requirements.
Despite the progress made in setting the election timetable, concerns remain over the country’s readiness. Election officials have repeatedly warned that limited funding, unresolved legal reforms, delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, security sector reforms, constitution-making and the unification of armed forces continue to pose significant challenges to the electoral process.
While the government maintains that the elections will proceed as planned, several opposition groups continue to question whether the necessary conditions exist to guarantee a peaceful, credible and inclusive vote.
Nile Gazette
