SSOA Leaders led by Hussein Abdelbagi Akol have disowned a SSOA Faction led by H.E. Josephine Joseph Lagu
The Leadership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), under the chairmanship of Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, hereby informs the public, political stakeholders, peace partners, and the media that it has formally and decisively disowned the group publicly referred to as the "SSOA Josephine Faction".
This decision follows extensive consultations and a thorough assessment of the political conduct of this group, which has consistently acted contrary to the collective resolutions, unity of purpose, and strategic direction of SOA, as well as the spirit and letter of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The disowned group has persistently adopted positions that fundamentally undermine peace, stability, and democratic transition, including:
1. Actively opposing and undermining the collective leadership decision of SSOA to relinquish its forces and Command-in-Chief (C-in-C) titles to the sole constitutional Commander-in-Chief, HE. Salva Kiir Mayardit, through sustained propaganda, misinformation, and public statements intended to delegitimize and sabotage this historic and lawful decision, taken in the supreme interest of national unity, security sector reform, and lasting peace.
2. Rejecting the decision taken by SSOA Leadership under Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to relinquish the military wing from SSOA to the Supreme Commander of regular forces, HE. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, thereby obstructing the reintegration and deployment of SOA forces, and attempting to retain armed elements for narrow personal and political interests.
3. Demonstrating clear opposition to the forthcoming democratic elections, thereby undermining the will and aspirations of the people of South Sudan and obstructing the country's transition toward a legitimate constitutional and democratic order.
4. Hon. Josephine has persistently attempted to block the leadership initiative of Hon.Hussein Abdelbagi Akol aimed at relinquishing SSOA forces and C-in-C titles to establish one constitutional Commander-in-Chief, a cornerstone decision essential for unifying the security sector and consolidating peace. Her efforts to have this duly adopted agenda removed from Cabinet consideration further demonstrate a deliberate pattern of obstruction driven by self-interest rather than national interest.
Furthermore, it is on record that members of Josephine’s faction, despite being part of the Presidential Legal Committee formed by the Expanded Presidency, deliberately refused to append their signatures to the agreed technical and strategic roadmap intended to rescue the transtition, restore confident and create minimum political and legal conditions necessary for a peaceful and credible end to transitional period for the timely conduct of elections in December 2026. This refusal exposes their real intention to sabotage the ammendments process. More troubling is their continued mobilization of members of R-JMEC to oppose decisions lawfully passed and adopted by both the Expanded Presidency and the Council of Ministers in the RJMEC meeting, thereby undermining the peace implementation framework.
SSOA reiterates its unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, security sector reforms, democratic elections, and a peaceful transition in the Republic of South Sudan.
In light of the above, the Leadership of SSOA strongly urges all constituent parties, members, and supporters of the Alliance to distance themselves from such self-serving and divisive leaders, and to stand firmly on the side of peace, unity, institutional legitimacy, and democratic transition as the country enters the electoral period.
SSOA remains resolute in advancing reconciliation, national unity, and a peaceful democratic future for South Sudan.
Signatories:
On behalf of the SSOA Leadership
