By Yiep Joseph
Federal Democratic Party (FDP) has dismissed thirteen other members, citing political defection.
According to a statement extended to media, signed by the FDP chairperson Changson Chang, the party alleges that the dismissed members have violated party principles and loyalties by aligning themselves with opposing political factions.
“The Federal Democratic Party (FDP) announces the termination of the membership of the following individual who declared their defection from the party on November 28, 2024.” the statement partly read.
Among those whose memberships were terminated are William Obany, Susan John Jock, Chabur Goc, among others.
The dismissal came after the former FDP Secretary General Changkuoth Bichiok and a group of members, including the dismissed William Obany, claimed to have overthrown Changson.
However FDP chairperson, Changson Chang, said in a letter that the decision to terminate the membership of those found guilty of defection is in line with the party constitution.
The statement further acknowledges the efforts of those dismissed, adding that their act of defection undermines the party objective and cannot be tolerated.
“While the party appreciates the past contribution of the dismissed members, it cannot tolerate actions that undermine its objective and unity,” the statement read.
The party vowed to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement as well as the unity of the members and the citizens at large.
“The Federal Democratic Party remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding discipline and integrity, ensuring it continues to serve the people of South Sudan with dedication and honour,” the statement partly read.
Recently FDP expelled Changkuoth Bichiok, the former chairperson of the Finance Committee in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), from the party for violating the protocols.
According to the letter extended to the media, the party leadership claimed that the Bichiok was guilty of violation of party protocol with continued disrespect to the party chairperson and top leadership in general.
However, in response, Bichiok said his dismissal from the party was a violation of his rights as secretary general. He called the accusations against him mere allegations that should have been thoroughly investigated by a committee before any dismissal occurred.
“This is a violation of the party regulations because I am the secretary general of the party. I am not just a member of the party. He has no authority to just dismiss anybody from the party unless the party has become his property. And the issues that are cited, until you prove them right, are all allegations,” Bichiok said.
“In our constitution and our rules, you need to form a committee to investigate first and see if these issues are true or not. And this one also needs the leadership to sit first. And then a committee has to be formed, an investigation is done, and then after that, the report is brought, and then the decision can be taken in the sitting of the leadership council.
He, however, accused the party chairman of bringing his close relatives and giving them positions in the national parliament.
In a separate move, Bichiok and the group of FDP members ousted the Higher Education Minister Gabriel Changson Chang from leadership of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP).
Addressing the media during a press briefing, Changkuoth Bichiok, who was declared as the interim chairperson of the faction opposed to Changson, explained that the party was facing a crisis and it had reached the point of deposing the chairperson.
“On November 5, 2024, the National Leadership Council (NLC) held a quarterly meeting to discuss the behavior and misconduct of Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang. This came after he issued a press release in which he claimed to have expelled the Secretary-General, Hon. Changkuoth, from the party.” He claimed.
Bichiok accused Changson of making key decisions unilaterally, without consulting or holding meetings with the Leadership Council.
He also alleged that Changson appointed a relative as the acting secretary general after dismissing Changkuoth.