Abdelbagi clears Dr. Lomuro of allegations of SSOA interference
The faction under Abdelbagi’s leadership reaffirmed that the alliance is currently divided and asserted that Dr. Lomuro had merely acknowledged that fact, not caused it.
By Ajah Jennifer
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance, led by Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has issued a statement clearing Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro of allegations of political interference, which were recently leveled against him by a rival faction.
The statement issued by Stephen Lual Ngor, official spokesperson of the SSOA faction aligned with Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, dismissed claims made by a different SSOA group that accused Dr. Lomuro of “meddling” in party affairs.
The faction under Abdelbagi’s leadership reaffirmed that the alliance is currently divided and asserted that Dr. Lomuro had merely acknowledged that fact, not caused it.
“It goes without saying that Hon. Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro is right to assert that SSOA is divided into two factions,” Lual stated
“The accusation that he is meddling in the affairs of SSOA is false and holds no ground. It is not his making to have SSOA divided.”
This came after a rival group claimed that SSOA would remain united under the leadership of Vice President Josephine Lagu, and that Dr. Lomuro should refrain from commenting on its internal matters.
The Abdelbagi-aligned faction criticized this assertion, calling it dishonest and misleading and affirming the existence of two factions of SSOA.
One group comprising Hussein Abdel Bagi Akol and other members, and another faction is led by Vice President Josephine Lagu Yanga.
The group went on to accuse the rival faction of attempting to distort the alliance’s internal realities and mislead the public and development partners.
They also emphasized that the SSOA’s longstanding division has persisted for more than five years, largely due to a failure to adhere to its own charter and regulations, which require a six-month, non-renewable rotational leadership.
However, the Abdelbagi-led faction said it was committed to the full implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
It added that their leadership has been consistent and committed throughout both the negotiation and implementation phases.
Lual urged the public to disregard what it termed a “malicious publication” and to recognize the ongoing internal challenges facing the alliance.
