14/04/2026
In June 1983, the first meeting of SPLM/A was chaired by Akuot Atem Mayen where Dr. John Garang De Mabior sat at left hand of Akuot Atem and Samuel G*i Tut sat at right hand of Akuot Atem. In this first meeting of june 1983, Dr. John Garang, Kharbino Kuanyin, William Nyuon Bany, Joseph Odhuo and Salva Kiir Mayardit sat at the left row of sitting while Cdr. Akuot Atem Mayen who chaired the meeting put Cdr. Samuel G*i Tut, Cdr. Gordon Kong, Joseph Adhuo and Abdala Chuol at his right hand.
In the meeting of June 1983, Akuot Atem Mayen asked Dr. John Garang de Mabior at his left hand sitting arrangement to make presentation on military wing of the movement, Salva Kiir Mayadit made presentation on security, Joseph Adhuo made presentation on humanitarian and relief.
The power struggle within the movement started in this meeting of June 1983 where Cdr. Akuot Atem (Upper Nile Region) nominated himself as chairman of the movement and commander in chief, he nominated Samuel G*i Tut as his deputy, Dr. John Garang (Upper Nile Region) as third power, followed by Kharbino Kuanyin Bol, Joseph Odhuo (Equatoria), Abdala Chuol (Upper Nile Region), Gordon Kong (Upper Nile region), William Nyuon Bany (Upper Nile region) and Salva Kiir Mayardit (Bar el ghazal). The first meeting was only attended by high commanders of both Anya-nya two and the new revolutionaries of 16 May Mutiny.
After the first meeting in June 1983, Group of Dr. John Garang, Karbino Kuanyin Bol, William Nyuon Bany and Salva Kiir Mayardit withdrawn from the leadership arrangement by Akuot Atem Mayen who chaired the first meeting of the movement (SPLM/A). And immediately after June 1983 meeting, Dr. John Garang was declared by his group as chair and commander in chief of the movement where Dr. John Garang officially read out manifesto but there was no entire leadership structure in place until may 1984.
After disagreements over leadership, the Group headed by Dr. John Garang de Mabior declared fight against Group of Anya-two leaders headed by Akuot Atem Mayen (self nominated chairman), Samuel G*i Tut, Gordon Kong Chuol and Abdala Chuol.
From June 1983 to May 1984, there was grievances over the leadership of the movement on who should lead the SPLM/A or movement. On 16th of May 1984, Dr. John Garang de Mabior appointed the official leadership structure. The leadership of 16th of May 1984 was announced as followed;
1). Dr. John Garang de Mabior, Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLA/M.
2). Kharbino Kuanyin Bol, Deputy Chairman and Deputy C. In. C
3). William Nyuon Bany, Chief of General of Staff.
4). Salva Kiir Mayardit, Deputy chief of Staff for Operation.
5). Arok Thon Arok, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics & Procurement.
6). Joseph Odhuo, Political Affairs
7). Martin Majier G*i, Legal Affairs.
On this regard, in 1984, Samuel G*i Tut was assassinated during clashes and later in 1987, Akuot Atem Mayen was also assassinated in the clashes in Ethiopia but Adala Chuol and Gordon Kong finally joined Dr. John Garang's group in 1987.
South Sudanese have spirit of power struggle began in this period and not in 1991 and 2013.
All in all, South Sudanese must always be above political interests of the political elites.
