![General Gathoth Gatkuoth (left) and General Changson Lew Chang. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gathoth-and-Changson.png?resize=3780%2C2126&quality=80&ssl=1)
On Saturday, Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth issued a statement asserting his ownership of the opposition party. Both Gatkuoth and Changson were founding members of the Federal Democratic Party/South Sudan Armed Forces (FDP-SSAF), which was established in August 2015.
However, after the collapse of the peace agreement in 2016, Changson fled the country and formed his own version of the party in Addis Ababa, which is currently aligned with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Changkuoth Bichiock Reth, Secretary-General of the faction led by Changson, said they would file a legal challenge if Gen. Gatkuoth does not stop using the party’s name.
“There are a number of procedures, including legal ones, that we can pursue if he does not abandon the usage of our name,” Bichiock said.
“He’s free to establish his own party and call it something else, but if he continues using our name, we may resort to legal action through the courts or the political parties’ council.”
Bichiock stated that Gen. Gatkuoth was dismissed from the party on January 4, 2016, after he and his delegation joined the government.
“He’s just trying to use the name he claims, but our constitution clearly states that if you go against the party’s procedures, you can be dismissed,” he said.
“So, he decided to join the government when the party was not ready to reach an agreement with the government. He made his own arrangements.”
Bichiock added that if Gatkuoth wishes to return to the party, he must follow the proper procedures rather than claim ownership.
“Our constitution says that if you decide to leave the party, you automatically cease to be a member because you have abandoned it. He needs to follow the normal procedure—he can apply, and we will consider his case.”
