SSPM chairman dismisses ex-VP Abdelbagi from party

February 20, 2025 (JUBA) – The chairman of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual on Thursday issued an order, removing and permanently dismissing ex-Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol from the party.

The decision, SSPM said in a statement, followed an investigation in which Abdelbagi was allegedly found guilty of insubordination, attempting to unlawfully dismiss the party’s chairman, violating the SSPM constitution through unlawfully assembling an unauthorized faction and acting against party unity.

“WHEREAS, investigations confirmed that Mr. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol attempted to unlawfully dismiss the Chairman, Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual, invoked a non-existent constitutional provision, assembled an unauthorized faction to claim leadership, and convened a meeting at his private residence in violation of the party’s constitutional framework,” it reads in part.

Abdelbagi, it added, ceases to hold any position or membership within SSPM, and any actions in the party’s name by him are null and void effective February 20.

It further said actions of the ex-Vice President constituted gross misconduct and a direct violation of the SSPM Constitution, undermining the party’s unity, leadership, and its role within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).”

“Effective immediately, he ceases to hold any position, authority, or membership rights within the SSPM. Any actions or representations made by him in the party’s name are null and void,” stressed the statement.

The SSPM, however, committed itself to upholding its constitutional principles.

The party vowed not tolerate any actions that undermine its integrity or stability.

“The SSPM remains committed to discipline, integrity and unity,” it observed.

The party has been involved in a power struggle since last year, after some South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) leaders called for the removal of Abdelbagi.

The opposition alliance leaders also excluded Abdelbagi from a meeting with President Salva Kiir, amid claims they wanted him removed from the presidency.

Kiir removed Abdelbagi from the position of Vice President and replaced him with  former agriculture and food security minister, Josephine Lagu.

(ST)