JUBA—The Political Democratic Movement (PDM), a member of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), has been plunged into an internal power struggle after members removed former Vice President Josephine Joseph Lagu from her position as the party’s chairperson.
The members accused her of corruption, abuse of office, and operating the party as a personal enterprise.
The decision to remove Josephine as party chairperson was taken by the Leadership Council, the party’s highest decision-making body, following internal consultations and a review of her performance during her tenure in office.
She has been replaced by Mathew John Barnaba, who will serve as interim chairperson pending the conduct of party elections.
Addressing the media in Juba on Thursday, founding member Mathew John Barnaba, who read the statement, said the Leadership Council unanimously agreed to remove Josephine with immediate effect.
“The party leadership has unanimously resolved to remove Hon. Josephine Joseph Lagu from her position as chairperson of PDM and remain as an ordinary member in the party with immediate effect,” John said.
John alleged the decision to remove Josephine followed a review of her performance record and conduct, which he said had undermined the unity and integrity of the party, as well as cohesion within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.
“Bad leadership manifested through a lack of activities and meetings of organs of the party since the formation of the RTGoUN, a lack of internal party democracy, including losing its mission and vision.
According to John, Josephine allegedly led the party in an authoritarian manner, behaving as if her decisions and actions were not open to questioning.
“She behaves like a queen who cannot be questioned, whose decisions and actions are unquestionable. Hon. Josephine has personalised the party affairs to the extent that she has lost both moral and legal basis to lead in favour of nepotism, favouritism, and abuse of authority,” he said.
He claimed that her inconsistent and contradictory leadership decisions created institutional confusion within the party and eroded its credibility among members and supporters.
“Hon. Josephine Joseph Lagu is no longer a chairperson of PDM. She does not represent PDM in any political, organisational, or public capacity. All members of PDM, supporters, partners of R-ARCSS, and the public at large should distance themselves from her in matters relating to the party,” he said.
He assured party members, supporters, and partners of their commitment to remain united, functional, and dedicated to internal democracy, transparency, and accountability.
“The PDM calls upon the constitutional leaders of SSOA parties to abide by the charter and its regulations as the only way to rescue SSOA from those who want to cling to the positions of chairperson.”
