From Deputy Speaker to Warlord: Oyet Nathaniel Pierino
By Abraham Madit Majak
South Sudan stands on the edge of a dangerous precipice. Rt. Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), has crossed a line that should alarm every citizen: he is no longer just a politician—he is acting like a warlord.
Once seen as a rising star in the SPLM-IO, Oyet held a position central to the nation’s fragile transition. As Deputy Speaker, he was supposed to uphold law, champion dialogue, and guide South Sudan toward stability after years of civil war. Instead, recent reports indicate he has mobilized armed factions and declared war on the government, claiming to defend SPLM-IO while challenging President Kiir’s authority.
The timing could not be worse. Dr. Riek Machar, SPLM-IO Chairman and First Vice President, remains under house arrest, creating a leadership vacuum. In this space, Oyet’s militarized ambitions risk igniting renewed political and intercommunal violence, threatening to undo years of painstaking peacebuilding.
South Sudanese citizens, already scarred by war, famine, and displacement, face the possibility of another catastrophic conflict. History shows that when politicians turn to guns to settle disputes, civilians pay the heaviest price. Oyet’s actions reflect a dangerous shift: political office as a launchpad for personal power rather than public service.
This crisis exposes a broader systemic failure. Transitional institutions designed to enforce accountability appear powerless against leaders who exploit instability for personal gain. Even the TNLA, meant to be a cornerstone of governance, is undermined from within.
Some may argue Oyet is acting to protect party survival. But the truth is clear: dialogue, negotiation, and adherence to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remain the only path to peace. Anything else is a gamble with human lives.
The international community and SPLM-IO loyalists must act decisively. Leadership should be restored to voices committed to peace, such as Hon. Stephen Par Koul, rather than militarized opportunists. Silence risks emboldening a dangerous precedent: South Sudanese politics by gun, not law.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierino’s transformation from legislator to warlord is a stark warning. Political ambition without accountability can reignite the flames of war in a nation desperate for peace. South Sudan cannot afford to let history repeat itself. The time to act is now—before ordinary citizens bear the cost of yet another preventable conflict.
Opinions expressed in articles published by RSSVP are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Rescue South Sudan Village People. RSSVP assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, validity, or reliability of claims made by contributors.
Author Bio
Abraham Madit Majak is a South Sudanese writer and political commentator with a strong focus on governance, peace processes, and civic accountability. He regularly contributes to public discourse on South Sudan’s political transition, the role of state institutions, and the responsibilities of leadership during critical reform and nation-building periods.
