Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Chairperson of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) [Photo: Courtesy]

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – The South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) has dismissed claims challenging the legitimacy of its Chairman, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, following a letter from a faction led by Josephine Joseph Lagu.

The SSPM spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Lual Ngor, clarified that the movement’s National Leadership Council (NLC) formally affirmed Hussein Abdelbagi as Chairman during an extraordinary meeting in November 2024.

During that session, the NLC exercised its constitutional authority to revoke the chairmanship of Dr. Costello Garang Riiny Lual—not the other way around. Lual emphasized that the SSPM is an independent political entity governed by its own 2022 constitution.

He characterized the attempt by the Josephine Lagu group to involve the National Transitional Committee (NTC) as an “unacceptable intrusion” into the party’s internal affairs.

The spokesperson maintained that political legitimacy is grounded in constitutional adherence rather than media pronouncements.

He concluded that Hussein Abdelbagi remains the sole authorized leader to manage the integration of SSOA forces and represent the movement within the peace process, despite efforts by external partners to disrupt the alliance’s unity.

The leadership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) is currently divided into two primary camps, with both sides supported by various constituent party leaders and splinter factions.

The faction led by Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, includes Honorable Clement Juma Mbogoniwia, Chairman of South Sudan National Movement for Change, Honorable Changkuoth Bichiok Reth, who heads a splinter faction of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP).

This group is also supported by Dr. Gasim Barnaba Kisanga of the National Salvation Front-Peace (NAS) and Honorable Clement Juma Mbugoniwia, who serves as the leader of the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) and holds the position of Deputy Chairperson of SSOA.

Others are Hon. Abdun Garjiek Gatluak, Chairperson of South Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLM), Hon. Juan Dar Dobuol, Chairperson of South Sudan United Movement (SSUM), and Hon. Dr. Gatluak Nyaang Hoth, Chairperson of National Democratic Movement (NDM).

In contrast, the faction led by Vice President Josephine Joseph Lagu includes Dr. Costello Garang Riiny of the SSPM splinter faction and Dr. Lam Akol, the Chairperson of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

This group also lists the support of Honorable Denay Jock Chagor and Right Honorable Panying Monytuil Wijang of the South Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLM).

Furthermore, it includes Honorable Gabriel Changson Chang, Chairperson of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), Honorable Moro Isaac Jenesio, Chairperson of the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), and Honorable Julius Tabuley Daniel, the Chairperson of the National Salvation Front (NAS).