SSOA admits it asked Kiir to remove Hussein as vice-president

JUBA – The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a coalition of opposition parties led by Josephine Lagu, has formally admitted that they have requested President Salva Kiir Mayardit to dismiss Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi Akol, who was appointed to the position as the alliance’s representative.

Tensions within SSOA were amplified following a meeting last month between alliance leaders and Kiir at the presidential palace, J1. Reports that the meeting aimed to convey SSOA’s dissatisfaction with Abdelbaggi performance fueled speculation about his potential removal. At the time, SSOA did not admit or deny the rumors surrounding their meeting with Kiir.

Internal disagreements within the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), one of SSOA’s member parties, further deepened the controversy. After the J1 meeting, SSPM leader Costello Garang Riny Lual and Hussein Abdelbaggi, who serves as the party’s deputy chair, exchanged accusations. This culminated in Costello suspending Hussein and Hussein attempting to oust Costello from his leadership role.

SSOA, founded in 2017, is composed of eight political parties: the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) led by Josephine Lagu; the National Democratic Movement (NDM) headed by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin; the South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) under Denay Jock Chagor; the South Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLM) led by Bapiny Manytuil; the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) chaired by Costello Garang; the National Salvation Front (NAS) faction led by Julius Tabuley Daniel; the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) led by Isaac Moro Jenesio; and the Federal Democratic Party (FDP) under Gabriel Changson Lew.

In a statement signed by leaders of seven of the eight member parties – with Gabriel Changson of the FDP notably absent – SSOA declared it had withdrawn confidence in Abdelbaggi and formally communicated its decision to President Kiir.

“SSOA Leadership Council would like to inform the public that it has withdrawn its confidence in H.E. Hussein Abdel Bagi Akol as Vice President representing SSOA in the Presidency. It has communicated this decision to the appointing authority last month. Therefore, H.E. Hussein doesn’t speak for SSOA anymore,” read the statement, seen by Sudans Post.

The statement also emphasized relevant provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) concerning the allocation and replacement of vice-presidential positions. It cited Article 1.8.1, which establishes four Vice Presidents during the transitional period, and Article 1.8.3, which requires that any vice-presidential vacancy be filled by the party that made the original nomination.

“These provisions of R-ARCSS are crystal clear, and we appeal to the public not to be unduly worried about the rumours being circulated by those who think they can manipulate the institutions of the revitalized agreement to their narrow interests,” the statement added.

The absence of Gabriel Changson’s signature raised further intrigue. The FDP leader’s omission coincides with internal disputes within his party. Recently, former FDP secretary-general Changkuoth Bichiok attempted to remove Changson after being dismissed by him in a power struggle over a parliamentary seat held on behalf of the party.

Attempts by Sudans Post to reach Abdelbaggi’s faction of the SSPM for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his allies went unanswered.