L-R: Minister of Agriculture and SSOA Chairperson Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Minister of ICT and Postal Services Ateny Wek Ateny, and the leader of the FDP splinter faction, Hon. Changkuoth Bichiok Reth, during a press briefing in Juba on Monday, December 22, 2025. Credit: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — The government has welcomed the decision by the Chairman of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, to give up his military command.

The Minister of ICT, who is also the Government Spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, made remarks after Abdelbagi had officially relinquished his military command, placing all his forces and weaponry under the direct authority of President Salva Kiir.

The SSOA Chairman’s announcement made on Monday, December 22, 2025, marks the full and voluntary transition of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) and the broader SSOA military wing from an armed struggle to a legitimate civilian political entity.

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Monday, December 22, Hon. Ateny called the move a milestone for the country’s peace process. The announcement follows a Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday, December 19, 2025.

“We welcome this as a step toward political stability,” the statement noted. “Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi’s decision to integrate SSPM forces into the national army shows leadership and trust in our national institutions.”

The government stated that the move helps end parallel command structures in South Sudan. By placing all SSPM forces under the authority of President Salva Kiir, the transition aims to improve security and support the peace roadmap.

Ateny added that other SSOA leaders present at the briefing are also following suit, giving up their military titles to ensure the country has only one Commander-in-Chief.

The government Spokesperson also acknowledged Abdelbagi’s plan to turn the SSPM into a formal political party.

“Forming a political party is a constitutional right, and we see this as part of our growing democracy,” the spokesperson said, adding that the government respects the right of citizens to organize through peaceful means.

The statement concluded by calling on civil society and other political groups to support the transition, urging remaining armed groups to follow this example.