JUBA, Nov. 28, 2024 – Higher Education Minister Gabriel Changson Chang has been removed as leader of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), a faction of party officials announced Thursday in Juba.
Changson, who chaired the FDP and represented the South Sudanese Opposition Alliance (SSOA) in the transitional government, was deposed during a senior leadership meeting held Nov. 5 in Juba, according to party officials. Changkuoth Bichiok Reath, the party’s former secretary-general, has been named interim leader.
Changkuoth, however, was expelled from the party on Nov. 3 for allegedly breaching party protocols. Addressing the media Thursday, he claimed the party’s leadership had reached a breaking point with Changson’s governance, necessitating his removal.
“On November 5, 2024, the National Leadership Council (NLC) convened a quarterly meeting to address the conduct of Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang,” said Changkuoth. “This followed his press release declaring my expulsion as Secretary General without justification.”
He accused Changson of bypassing the Leadership Council in making critical decisions, including appointing a relative as acting Secretary General after dismissing Changkuoth. “The NLC found no grounds for such drastic actions,” Changkuoth said, adding that Changson’s actions violated the party’s constitution.
William Obany Otong, Secretary General for Membership Affairs, echoed these sentiments, alleging Changson’s leadership had concentrated power within the Upper Nile region and his family.
“The Ministry of Higher Education and its directors are controlled by one family,” Otong claimed. “We believed no party should operate like this.”
Attempts to contact Changson for comment were unsuccessful.
