JUBA, South Sudan — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) said it received “with profound shock” the announcement by one of its senior members, Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, who declared his defection on social media Oct. 15, 2025.
In a statement obtained by The Juba Mirror News, the SPLM described Nhial as a “distinguished and senior member” of the movement since its inception, noting that he has held numerous key positions within the SPLM, the former Government of Southern Sudan, and the current Government of the Republic of South Sudan.
Within the party, Nhial served as a member of both the Political Bureau and the National Liberation Council. In the current government, he represents the SPLM in the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
Nhial was one of the lead negotiators for the SPLM during the Naivasha Peace Talks that culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed Jan. 9, 2005. The landmark deal secured the right to self-determination for South Sudan, leading to the 2011 referendum and eventual independence. Between 2005 and 2008, he served as minister of regional cooperation—then equivalent to the minister of foreign affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan. After a cabinet reshuffle, he was appointed minister of SPLA and Veterans Affairs, a role similar to the current minister of defense and veterans affairs.
Following independence, Nhial held several significant portfolios, including minister of foreign affairs, minister of presidential affairs, presidential envoy, and chief negotiator for the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the Rome Peace Process.
The SPLM said it was “surprised and deeply disappointed” by Nhial’s defection and his announcement of a new political group, the South Sudan Salvation Movement (SSSM), which he justified by citing government failures to protect lives and property, the absence of a comprehensive disarmament strategy, rampant corruption, and economic erosion.
“It is disheartening that Hon. Nhial seeks public sympathy by blaming the government for recurring inter- and intra-tribal conflicts,” the statement said, adding that Nhial himself had served as minister of defense and veterans affairs between 2008 and July 2011, when similar communal violence occurred across the country.
The party further noted that in December 2022, the SPLM Political Bureau endorsed reforms expanding party membership, adopting a new code of conduct, and introducing disciplinary and financial-management rules. The National Liberation Council also empowered the SPLM chairman to restructure the party, leading to the appointment of additional deputy chairpersons and deputy secretary-generals. “Hon. Nhial was part of these reforms,” the statement said, “and it is therefore unfortunate that he now alleges illegal removal of SPLM leaders.”
The SPLM accused Nhial of invoking claims of government neglect to win public support for his new movement, despite having held senior posts in the same administration. “When he and his colleagues held power, they never advocated giving veterans the chance to serve in leadership roles,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to unity, peace, and development, the SPLM urged all members, veterans, and citizens “to reject divisions and work together for the country’s progress.” The party also advised Nhial to organize his new political group “along democratic lines.”
The SPLM said Nhial’s membership has been frozen following his declaration of the South Sudan Salvation Movement. The statement was signed by Cde Bol Makueng Yuol, SPLM secretary for political affairs and mobilisation.
