SSOA denies rumors of plot to oust Hussein as vice-president after J1 meeting with Kiir

JUBA – The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) has refuted social media rumors claiming that a recent meeting between SSOA leaders and President Salva Kiir was held to propose the replacement of Vice-President Hussein Abdelbaggi, who holds the position on SSOA’s ticket.

The alliance’s leadership, led by chairperson and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Josephine Lagu and Secretary-General Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, met with President Kiir at the state house, J1, in Juba on Tuesday.

Following the meeting, Lagu clarified to the media that their visit was intended to affirm their support for the Tumaini (“Hope”) Initiative, a peace dialogue facilitated by Kenya between the transitional government and opposition groups that have not signed the revitalized peace agreement.

Despite these statements, rumors circulated on social media alleging that the meeting was aimed at removing Hussein from his post and replacing him with Costello Garang.

Hussein and Costello are both members of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), one of the eight factions within SSOA that signed the revitalized peace agreement with the government in September 2018.

In response, SSOA spokesman Stephen Lual Ngor issued a statement to Sudans Post, firmly denying the allegations and reaffirming that the meeting focused solely on the Tumaini Initiative and other peace-related discussions.

“I am making this statement to dismiss the allegations on social media that the recent meeting between the President of the Republic of South Sudan and SSOA members was intended for discussing the changing of leaders in SSOA alliance,” Ngor stated.

“The meeting discussed issues of the Tumaini peace initiative and elections after the delay period. It provided an opportunity for SSOA leaders to reaffirm their support for the Tumaini peace process and strengthen the relationship between the SSOA alliance and the SPLM party,” he added.

While it remains unclear what triggered the rumors, Ngor noted that Abdelbaggi is continuing his regular duties.

“The vice-president is currently present in his office, and the meetings that take place at the Presidency are governed by Presidential protocol,” he said.