Opposition group downplays Bakasoro’s decision to join Kiir

JUBA – The South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) previously led by former governor of Western Equatoria state Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro has downplayed Bakasoro’s defection to join President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Bakasoro who serves in the unity government provided for in the revitalized peace agreement as minister of public service on the ticket of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) announce during a press conference in Juba his return to the ruling SPLM faction under Kiir on Thursday after more than ten years.

In a statement, the SSNMC said the decision by its former leader was personal and said it does not affect the standing of the opposition group which it said is committed to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“On behalf of the SSNMC Interim Leadership and the entire Members of the Movement, we are here to inform the General public that our Chairman Hon. Joseph Bakosoro has decided to re-join the SPLM Party along with other colleagues vide Press Statement dated 15th July 2021 issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Cooperation in Juba,” the SSNMC statement said.

“There is nothing wrong with any member of the Party leaving to join another party. That being said, however, we would like to assure our members and supporters that the decision of Hon. Joseph Bakosoro, former Chairman of SSNMC, and those colleagues who joined him in the decision to return to the SPLM Party is purely their personal decision for which we are not a part,” the statement added.

The statement signed by co-founders of opposition group further said they cannot allow the party to go into limbo and urged its members to remain calm and implement the peace agreement.

“NMC is a grass-root Movement with members across the country. As co-founders and prominent members, we cannot allow the Party to run into abeyance. We, therefore, urge those members who have remained behind and our supporters to remain calm and focus on the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. On the same note, we assure our colleagues in SSOA, the International Community, IGAD, AU, TROIKA, and indeed the people of South Sudan that SSNMC remains a prominent member of SSOA therefore, shall continue to pursue the implementation of the R-ARCSS 2018,” it said.

“While we regret that this is now happening during the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018, we affirm that as a party governed on the basis of democracy, good governance, and the rule of Law, members have rights to join any other political formations safe that a clear declaration to that effect is made,” the press release added.

“As for colleagues who have left us to join the SPLM, we wish them well and want to reaffirm our respect for their free will and decision. We confirm that our relationship with the SPLM shall continue as a partner in the Peace Agreement who has a duty and obligations to implement the Peace in letter and spirit.”