INTERNAL MEMO - A Call for Unity and Wisdom in the SPLM/A-IO

Major General John Sunday Martin (Image Provided/Supplied)

(Pachodo.org) - My fellow Revolutionary Comrades of the SPLM/A-IO , I have always stood on the right side of history. Throughout my life, I have spoken for what is right, opposed what is wrong, and kept silent when silence was required. And when I speak, I speak the truth.

Let me address you plainly and without fear: as a revolutionary movement, we are at a very critical moment. Now more than ever, we must exercise wisdom in how we speak to one another and how we conduct ourselves.

Those of us who believe in unity of purpose and in the success of this struggle must choose unity. Only through unity can we deliver on the dreams of the people of South Sudan and on their demand for regime change.

To the Nuer Elders, Political and Military Leaders, and Intellectuals within the ranks of the SPLM/A-IO: I urge you to counsel (advice) those political kindergartners among us who are behaving irresponsibly, engaging in misconduct, disrespect, baseless criticism, accusations, and blame.

This must stop. What they are doing is leading to self-destruction: of themselves, of the movement, and of the great Nuer community. If they do not know this, I tell you to tell them to know it now.

They must understand that they are not only targeting individuals within the SPLM/A-IO whom they dislike or consider unfit. They are weakening the movement. They are weakening themselves. And they are weakening the Nuer community. If this movement collapses today, you and the Nuer community will be the primary victims of the regime.

I say this with concern because I have observed cadres misbehaving in the forums, directing all their energy toward baseless criticism, accusations, and disrespect within our structures, instead of using that energy to fight the regime.

Such behavior demonstrates a lack of commitment to the movement. It risks turning them, knowingly or unknowingly, into agents of internal destruction.

Let me state this clearly to those with ambitions to hijack the leadership of this movement:
"Dr. Riek Machar is the central unifying factor within the SPLM/A-IO." He is the leader accepted across tribes within this movement and across this nation.

In his absence, while he remains under illegal confinement by the regime, any attempt to hijack the leadership of this movement through unconstitutional means, will fail.

History has already shown us the consequences in 2016 with General Taban Deng Gai, and in 2025 with Stephen Phur Koul.

No individual or group will command the support of other communities the way Dr. Riek does. That is a reality we must all accept before taking any step toward hijacking the leadership.

I therefore appeal especially to my Nuer brothers and sisters within the SPLM/A-IO: in the absence of Dr. Riek Machar, you must behave responsibly toward other communities within the movement and acknowledge their sacrifices and commitment to the cause.

You must understand that if comrades from other communities choose to distance themselves, this movement will become tribal. It will weaken. It will collapse. And the cost will be paid dearly by you as individuals and by your community.

Do not think you are the sole owners of this movement. Do not think it exists because of you alone. And do not think you can defeat the regime in Juba by yourselves.

This movement belongs to all of us. Its foundation is the blood and lives of innocent people sacrificed for this nation. We honor them through our resistance to this dictatorial, corrupt, tribal, and failed SPLM regime under President Salva Kiir.

I caution all true members of this movement: the time for disrespect, division, baseless criticism, accusations, and blame is over. The time for selfish ambition is over. It is time for unity of purpose.

Unless we unite and respect one another within the ranks and structures of the movement, we risk collapse and defeat by the regime.

I strongly encourage us to respect our command and leadership structures, and to resolve any leadership concerns through responsible, professional, and institutional means.

Truly Yours' In Struggle,

*Major General John Sunday Martin*
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