Matik Kueth
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. David Yau Yau, the former deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs (seated in suit) greets other SPLM members. [Photo: courtesy]
The former Deputy Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, David Yau Yau, pulled a shocking political move after he rejoined President Kiir’s ruling SPLM party on Monday just a month after he left for SPLM-IO.
In an exclusive interview with The City Review, Puok Baluang, SPLM-IO Director of Information and Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, confirmed Yau Yau’s defection to the SPLM.
“Yes, he made his defection in Pibor today [Monday] because he accompanied the newly appointed Pibor chief administrator together with the chairperson of the SPLM-IO in the Greater Pibor Administrative area,” Baluang said.
He revealed that Yau Yau spoke with the Chairman of SPLM-IO Dr Riek Machar and everything seemed fine only for them to be startled when Yau Yau switched allegiance to the SPLM-IG after only a few hours.
“In the morning, he was on the phone with H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, where they discussed internal SPLM-IO issues. So, after a few hours, we found out about his defection via social media,” he stated.
Baluang noted that despite seeing a document circulating on social media, they did not see a resignation letter from Yau Yau himself.
“We have seen him donning the SPLM-IG cap. I was actually present when they were communicating,” he revealed.
He emphasised that Yau Yau had only been a part of the SPLM-IO for 28 days and that the SPLM-IO could not be affected by his defection.
“Secondly, a new member is subjected to three months of observation per our internal regulations. He could have been able to get his full membership after that, but he didn’t finish his months. In accordance with the SPLM-IO constitution, he was on probation,” he explained.
Pal Mai Deng, SPLM-IO Spokesperson, also told The City Review in an interview that they had just lately learned that Yau Yau had declared his defection to SPLM-IG in Pibor.
“We just heard the information about the defection of David Yau Yau that he has rejoined the SPLM today [Monday] in Pibor Administrative area,” Mai said.
He added, “We were not actually aware but we received a report that he changed his mind and joined SPLM again.”
Why Yau Yau joined SPLM-IO
On October 29, 2023, President Salva Kiir relieved David Yau Yau as a member of the SPLM Liberation Council.
President Kiir in the same decree also revoked the appointment of David Yau Yau as a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly representing the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
It remains unclear why President Kiir removed David Yau Yau from both the SPLM top organ and the national parliament just like the others who were relieved alongside him.
However, on April 1, 2024, Yau Yau shifted his allegiance to the SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar in one of the rarest political developments.
Yau Yau claimed that the SPLM had failed to promote equality, common identity and nationhood in South Sudan, hence, they had shifted allegiance to avoid being part of an outfit that “seeks to perpetuate inequality, tribalism and ethnic bigotry in the country.”
He slammed SPLM losing its vision since independence and that its failures have been the source of contention and disagreement that divided the party that once was a beacon of hope and aspiration for the marginalised people of South Sudan.
Yau Yau also lamented that there is no rule of law in South Sudan that could guide people on what to do in the country.
Who is Yau Yau?
Yau Yau was a former rebel leader in the Pibor area who signed a peace deal with the government and joined the ruling party SPLM in the capital, Juba, in January 2016. He began his rebellion against the government in 2010 after failing to win a seat in parliament in the Sudanese general elections.
His military wing, the Cobra Faction, was integrated into the South Sudan army, under the May 2014 peace agreement. The deal curved GPAA out of Jonglei State and made it a largely autonomous administrative unit.
Yau Yau also held various government positions after abandoning the rebellion, including becoming the chief administrator of the Greater Pibor Area and deputy minister of defence.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
