S. Sudan’s opposition UDSF dismisses leader

September 21, 2011 (JUBA) — The South Sudanese opposition United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF) has dismissed its president Joseph Malual Doung and other members and named Martin Tako Moyi as provisional leader until elections are arranged.

The leadership council of the UDSF accused its former president of; conspiracy against the newly born nation of South Sudan; lack of transparency within the party; tyranny; betrayal and blamed him for the poor performance of the party due to lack of regular consultations with constituents.

Peter Awol Alejok, the head of UDSF’s office in Upper Nile state, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday said the leadership council decided to replace Malual because members of the party across South Sudan feel their demands for a national convention had been ignored. The USDF was also unhappy that Malual had not relocated to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, from Khartoum in North Sudan.

“This was a clear violation of the constitution of the United Democratic Salvation which requires the president to hold a conference at the request of the members. The leadership council has realized that the president of the party is always engaged on political issues with other political parties without seeking opinions of the members”, the statement said.

The statement continued that the leadership took the decision to appoint a provisional leader after several attempts were made to make the president relocate from Khartoum to Juba.

The statement further argued that the UDSF had always wanted South Sudan to achieve independence, which was achieved in July. The referendum that led to South Sudan’s secession was part of a 2005 peace deal signed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) the dominant party in the new nation.

Alejok blamed the former leader for attending the Kenana conference without informing the party members or explaining why he has chosen to remain in Khartoum, while party leadership was in Juba. He also blamed Malual for the poor performance of the party in the 2010 general elections

“We wanted him to come to the South Sudan where we have our supporting base. Our supporters are found in the south because we have become separate countries. This was the objective of our party. We wanted these all time that South Sudan separates from the North. So why should a leader of a party which advocated for separation remains in the north when the mission for which the party has formed has materialized with independence of south Sudan”, the statement said.

(ST)