JUBA, Nov. 24, 2024 — South Sudan’s presidential advisor, Dr. Costello Garang Riiny Lual, has been removed as chairman of his party and its armed forces by rival leaders who accuse him of straying from party principles.
The senior leaders of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), a member of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), made the decision during a meeting in Juba on Saturday, according to a statement provided to Radio Tamazuj. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Vice President for the Services Cluster, was named interim chairman of SSPM.
Garang, a long-serving politician and veteran of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) since its inception in 1983, now faces an uncertain political future. Party leaders allege he failed to cooperate with the broader membership, citing Article 27 (2) B&C of the party’s constitution as grounds for his dismissal.
“The National Leadership Council (NLC) resolved to confirm Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany as the interim chairperson of SSPM/A until the convention of the movement takes place,” the statement said. Joseph Abdallah Sudani was named interim deputy chairperson, and Abdelrahim Albino Daniel was appointed interim secretary general.
Garang rejects dismissal In a separate statement Saturday, Garang rejected his removal, denouncing it as illegitimate and accusing his rivals of orchestrating a coup against his leadership.
“Today, November 23, 2024, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the acting deputy chairman of SSPM, along with a group of individuals he gathered from the streets, falsely claimed to have dismissed the chairman of the party,” Garang said.
He maintained that he remains the legitimate SSPM chairman, recognized by SSOA, and accused Hussein of failing in his duties within SSOA for four years. Garang announced Hussein’s suspension from SSPM pending an investigation, asserting that the party would decide his fate in accordance with its constitution.
Political implications
The internal power struggle within SSPM comes as South Sudan navigates a precarious political transition. The transitional government, established under the 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar, and others, has faced criticism for failing to meet key milestones, including drafting a new constitution.
Originally set to end this year with elections, the transitional period was extended in September by two years, moving the elections from December 2024 to December 2026.
The dispute within SSPM adds to the challenges facing the fragile coalition government, highlighting divisions within SSOA as it seeks to influence the transitional process.
