Former South Sudanese technocrat and chief oil negotiator for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Pagan Amum, launched his own political party last weekend, aiming to restore political integrity to his war-torn nation.

Dubbed The Real SPLM, the group has been founded to “realise the historical party’s vision that has deviated from its course”.

Amum, who relinquished his role as leader of the former political detainees in June, said he had linked up with opposition figures General Oyai Deng Ajak and Cirino Hiteng and other groups in the Netherlands to “mobilise and reorganise the SPLM members who are committed to the SPLM vision as designed by the late founder Dr John Garang de Mabior”.