SSOA ‘disowns’ Vice President Abdelbagi amid SSPM energy wrangle

Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: 2 hours in the past

The Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol. [Photo: Courtesy]

The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) Leadership Council introduced Thursday that it has withdrawn its confidence in H.E. Hussein Abdel Bagi Akol as Vice President representing the alliance within the Presidency.

SSOA is a coalition of eight political events that co-signed the 2018 peace settlement that ended South Sudan’s cycles of civil battle.

In a press release launched on Thursday, the alliance revealed that the choice to withdraw confidence was communicated to the appointing authority in November 2024.

As a end result, SSOA Leadership Council emphasised that H.E. Hussein not represents or speaks on behalf of the coalition, the assertion introduced.

The 2018 accord outlines the construction of the transitional authorities, together with the appointment of 4 Vice Presidents.

Article 1.8.3 of the R-ARCSS specifies that if a Vice President’s place turns into vacant for any motive, the respective social gathering that nominated the person shall appoint a alternative.

SSOA assured the general public that these provisions are clear and urged them to not be swayed by rumors aimed toward manipulating the establishments of the settlement.

The growth follows a power struggle within South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) underneath SSOA umbrella, which prompted an alternate of punitive letters from its high leaders; Vice President Abdelbagi and Presidential Advisor Costello Garang.

The rift began on November 23 when the SSPM social gathering held a gathering and dismissed Chairman Dr. Garang after passing a vote of no confidence in opposition to him.

The political group then introduced Vice President Abdelbagi as its interim chairperson.

Meanwhile, Dr. Costello Garang issued a press release on the identical day – denouncing his dismissal and suspending Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi on fees of insubordination.

According to him, there isn’t a provision within the social gathering’s structure that enables performing deputy chairperson or non-party members to dismiss the chairperson.

The assertion was signed by Leadership Council members; Hon. Josephine Lagu Yanga (PDM), Dr. Costello Garang Riing (SSPM), Dr. Lam Akol (NDM), Hon. Gen. Bapiny Montuil Wijang (SSLM), Hon. Julius Tabuley Daniel (NAS), Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, and Hon. Isaac Moro Jenesio (SSUM).

SSOA reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the rules of the revitalized peace settlement and making certain its correct implementation through the transitional interval.

For his half, Gabriel Kiir, the spokesperson of Vice President Abdelbagi, stated they may response to the assertion quickly.

“This document that you have seen were issued at the alliance level. It is not about the office of the Vice President; it is about the alliance, which actually wrote to the Vice President’s office,” he advised Eye Radio.

“I think these letters have just surfaced, and I’m sure there will be a response at the party level within the alliance. I am not in a position to predict what the response might be, but certainly, something will be done about it in a short period of time.”