By William Madouk
A serious political showdown is brewing within South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) regarding party leadership.
The tension arose after Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi Akol announced the ousting of party chairman Dr. Costello Garang Riiny.
In response, Dr. Costello issued a statement asserting that he remains the rightful leader of the SSPM and that Hussein is suspended from the party pending an investigation.
It all started when the Information Secretary of SSPM, Stephen Lual Ngor, in a statement, said that the SSPM’s National Liberation Council, in its extraordinary meeting, cast a vote of no-confidence against Costello.
They accused the latter of violating the party’s constitution, which included failing to collaborate with party members and neglecting key principles and mandates.
“The National Leadership Council has unanimously resolved to confirm Hussein Abdelbaggi as the interim chairperson of SSPM/A until the movement’s convention takes place,” the statement read.
The dramatic change of guard also saw Joseph Abdallah Sudani appointed interim deputy chairperson and Abdurahim Albino Daniel named interim secretary general.
The move comes days after Costello, who is a presidential advisor attended a high-profile meeting alongside South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) leader, Josephine Lagu, and secretary-general, Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, with President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The meeting was fueled by speculation that discussions included plans to replace Hussein Abdelbaggi as vice president, a position he holds under the SSOA ticket.
Besides, Costello allegedly appeared in another controversial meeting days later, where Stephen Lual, the SSPM spokesman, was removed from his role as SSOA media secretary.
However, the SSPM reiterated its commitment to implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and its allegiance to the SSOA charter.
In rebuttal, the Presidential Advisor Costello Garang issued a separate statement on Saturday rejecting the move to kick him out of the party.
“Today, November 23, 2024, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Acting Deputy Chairman of South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), along with a group of individuals he gathered from the streets, falsely claimed to have dismissed the Chairman of the party,” it read.
“I want to reaffirm that I remain the legitimate Chairman of SSPM, recognized by the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA),” it added.
Dr. Costello said Hussien’s group invoked fictitious articles which do not exist in the party’s constitution.
“Hussien’s attempt to dismiss me is nothing more than the desperate act of a “dying horse,” he said.
Adding that Hussein was facing a “leadership crisis within SSOA after failing to fulfil his responsibilities for the past four years and subsequently abandoning SSOA.”
“I want to reassure the public and our supporters that I remain the sole Chairman of SSPM and Deputy Chairperson of SSOA and that the party remains steadfast within SSOA,” Costelo said in the statement.
He continued, “effectively today, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol is suspended from SSPM on charges of insubordination, pending an investigation. The party will determine his fate in the coming days in accordance with our constitution.”
Also, Moro Isaac Jenesio, the Secretary-General of SSOA, in a letter dated November 24 – said SSOA, an umbrella of political parties is committed to a policy of ‘no surprises’ quoting Article 5 (4) of the charter SSOA that says;
“We, members of the SSOA commit to a policy of ‘no surprises’, meaning that we will give others prior details of a major step or announcement even when the subject matter might not be included in the SSOA’s common position,” he said.
Mr. Jenesio said that passing SSOA to hold a convention and dismiss the chairman was a major event, asserting that since it took place without SSOA knowledge the umbrella won’t be the outcome.
He urged the SSPM party to solve their internal wrangle amicably while noting that nothing could change SSOA’s recognition of embattling ousted chair Dr. Costello Garang.
“It would also want to make it amply clear that nothing at the moment would make it change its recognition of the current leadership of SSPM led by Hon. Dr. Costello Garang Riiny.”
South Sudan is under a transitional government created after a 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and other political figures.
The transition period was meant to conclude with elections in December this year, but the government has failed to meet core provisions of the 2018 deal, including drafting a constitution.
In September, the unity government approved a two-year extension of the transitional period.
The extension shifts the end of the transitional period from February 2025 to February 2027 and moves the scheduled elections from December 2024 to December 2026.