The dismissal order, issued on November 4, 2024, follows months of internal disputes and a suspension that seemingly strained the relationship between the governor and his finance chief

By Emmanuel Mandella

In a move that underscores differing political undertones within Western Equatoria State’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), Governor Alfred Futuyo, the governor and chairperson of party in the state, has dismissed Cde William Adriano Baiiki, the state Minister of Finance. Both the governor and the minister are from the same party.

The dismissal order, issued on November 4, 2024, follows months of internal disputes and a suspension that seemingly strained the relationship between the governor and his finance chief.

In the dismissal letter, seen by The City review, Governor Futuyo cites violations of the SPLM-IO Constitution 2015, particularly Article 10 subsection 10.5, which mandates expulsion for actions that undermine the movement’s objectives and policies.

The dismissal also references the SPLM-IO’s Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures 2015, Chapter IV, which lays out provisions for excluding members engaged in misconduct.

Futuyo’s decision comes after previous warnings earlier this year. Cde Baiiki, alongside John Ada Wilson, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and the Minister of Peace Building, had been absent from the state for over three months, prompting the governor to issue a stern warning. However, despite this caution, Cde Baiiki’s dismissal seemed inevitable.

His suspension from office followed a week after the initial warning, with Morris Bazia, the current Minister of Public Service, being appointed as the acting Minister of Finance.

In the official statement, Lt. Gen. Futuyo emphasized the gravity of Baiiki’s actions and its impact on the movement. “We cannot afford to have leaders whose conduct contradicts the guiding principles and unity of the SPLM-IO.

The state and its people deserve leadership that aligns with our mission,” said Governor Futuyo.

The fallout signals deep-seated rifts within the SPLM-IO’s Western Equatoria leadership. Political analysts believe the dismissal could trigger further political reshuffling and shifts in loyalty within the state government.

The implications of Baiiki’s exclusion may extend beyond SPLM-IO dynamics, potentially affecting the stability and trust in Western Equatoria’s governance at a time when economic and social challenges remain high.

The dismissal order, signed and sealed by Governor Futuyo, was explicit in its warning: “Anybody who engages with you [Cde Baiiki] in any business in the name of SPLM-IO does so at his/her own expense.”

Meanwhile, Morris Bazia’s appointment as the acting Minister of Finance comes at a critical moment. His new role will test his ability to navigate political tensions while addressing pressing responsibilities that come with his position, albeit in acting capacity.