FACT-CHECK: Nathaniel Oyet hasn’t resigned from the SPLM/A-IO leadership

A social media post shared on a Facebook group named Heart of South Sudan claims that Nathaniel Oyet Pierino has resigned as the acting chairman and commander-in-chief of the SPLM/A-IO, but this is false.

The claim is based on a letter circulating online, dated 11 January, 2026, allegedly addressed to Dr Riek Machar, in which Oyet allegedly tenders his resignation due to “political uncertainties”.

The claim comes amid a period of high internal tension within the SPLM-IO. 

“Nathaniel Oyet Resigned from SPLM/A IO LEADERSHIP,” the caption of the letter reads in part. 

Debunking the Claim:

A keyword search on Google for “Nathaniel Oyet resigning from SPLM-IO” showed that Oyet has denied stepping down from his position, insisting he remains in his role as acting chairman and commander-in-chief, as reported by the Sudans Post.

On 11 January, 2026, Nathaniel Oyet issued a categorical denial through official media channels, stating he remains “steadfast” in his role and rejected the authenticity of the “resignation letter” being shared online. He described the document as a fabrication intended to cause confusion.

“In a revolutionary struggle, there is no politics without the military and no military without politics,” he said.

Puok Both Baluang, the acting press secretary in the Office of the First Vice President and spokesperson for the movement, has also issued statements regarding Oyet’s current activities. 

Additionally, after critically analysing the document, there were inconsistencies in the letter, like the letter describes Gen. Nathaniel Pierino Oyet as the “Former Acting Chairman and Commander-in-Chief”; however, the body of the letter states he is resigning from those positions “with immediate effect” and lacks a specific date in the header or near the signature.

Our Verdict:

The ClarityDesk has found the claim that Nathaniel Oyet Pierino has resigned from the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO to be false. He has officially dismissed the resignation letter as a fake, as reliable sources show he is currently representing the movement on an international diplomatic mission in the United States.

This article is published by The ClarityDesk through the Young Journalists Media Integrity Fellowship, with the support of the Election Civic Tech Fund of AfricTivistes, within the AHEAD Africa and Digitalise Youth projects, led by the Digital Democracy Initiative.

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About The ClarityDesk

The ClarityDesk is a media integrity project based in South Sudan dedicated to promoting truth, transparency, and accountability. Working at the intersection of fact-checking, solutions and data journalism, we verify claims, debunk misinformation, and equip the public with tools to critically evaluate information. Our work is guided by accuracy, independence, and the public interest.