General-Secretary of national student’s union resigns amid power struggle

JUBA – South Sudan’s General Student’s Union (SSGSU) has been thrown into a power struggle after the body’s secretary-general, Julius Otimore Odone resigned, over allegations that union funds were being misappropriated by the president of the union.

In a statement dated September 3, 2022, Otimore said he resigned from the student’s body because of ‘many reasons’ one of which is the alleged embezzlement of funds the by the union’s leader who he claimed has taken over 100,000 SSP meant for student activities.

“With effect from the 3rd of Sept 2022, I strongly decided to resigned from my position of Secretary General for South Sudan National Students’ Union due to many reasons. I hereby tendering my resignation letter to your Students’ Union leadership,” he wrote on 3rd of September.

“I decided to resign from my position due to misappropriation of resources by the president. He is using the resources meant for the student’s programs,” Otimore said separately.

He claimed that “There was a letter that I wrote in June, to the minister of higher education, to withdraw 100,000 SSP, to handle student affairs.”

“When I brought the money to the office, the president told me that it [cash] should be given to him.”