![Federal Democratic Party’s (FDP) de facto leader Changkuoth Bichiok speaks during a press conference in Juba on Thursday, November 28, 2024. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/468399701_653369980350736_7550256426264578349_n-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C474&ssl=1)
Speaking to reporters in Juba on Thursday, Changkuoth stated that the decision was made during a meeting of senior party members on November 5, 2024, following what he described as an unconstitutional attempt by Changson to remove him from the party.
“This is an official announcement regarding the expulsion of our former chairperson, Gabriel Changson Lew Chang, from the leadership of the FDP. On November 5, senior members of the party convened and resolved to remove him due to several reasons,” Changkuoth said.
The move comes after Changson issued a statement on November 3, 2024, announcing Changkuoth’s “immediate” expulsion from the party. Changkuoth dismissed the statement as baseless, asserting that it failed to reference any constitutional articles or follow due process.
“The statement did not cite any specific articles in the party constitution that I am accused of violating, nor did it reference any official meeting where these allegations were discussed,” Changkuoth said.
He criticized Changson’s approach, arguing that the party’s constitution requires a detailed investigation and deliberation by the disciplinary committee before any member, particularly senior officials, can be removed.
“The chairperson cannot unilaterally expel a member or official without adhering to constitutional procedures. Such actions undermine the integrity of the party and its governance framework,” he added.
Changkuoth accused Changson of making unilateral decisions that alienated party members and violated internal processes. He claimed that Changson’s actions reflected a personal agenda rather than collective party interests.
“The former chairperson, Honorable Gabriel Changson Lew Chang, took a personal decision that no one in the leadership supported. He expelled me from the party without consultation or proper procedure. Such actions are unacceptable and contradict the party’s values,” he stated.
Changkuoth also alleged that Changson’s refusal to address concerns over the allocation of parliamentary committee positions exacerbated tensions within the party.
He revealed that Changson discouraged him from assuming leadership of the Committee on Energy and Dams, a decision Changkuoth ultimately reversed on October 31, 2024.
“My refusal to violate parliamentary regulations by not assuming the committee’s leadership triggered the former chairperson’s rash decision to expel me. It became evident that his motives were driven by personal interests, including attempts to allocate positions to his relatives,” Changkuoth alleged.
He further accused Changson of appointing a relative from the Council of State to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to secure key parliamentary roles.
Changkuoth described the FDP as being in crisis, attributing the turmoil to Changson’s leadership. He called on party members and stakeholders to address the situation to restore stability and uphold constitutional governance.
“The FDP is in crisis, and we have reached this point because of poor leadership and disregard for constitutional procedures. It is essential that we resolve these issues collectively to preserve the integrity of our party,” he said.
