South Sudanese Opposition Bloc Disowns Leader

By Staff Writer

Tension and infighting have gripped South Sudan’s opposition bloc, Other Political Parties, part of the transitional unity government.

At least five parties out of 20 within (OPP)have this week denounced their leader Peter Mayen Majongdit.

Mayen who is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs fought back by calling those against his leadership opportunists.

He added that parties opposed to him didn’t participate in the peace process that led to the signing of the final peace agreement in 2018.

 “We shouldn’t accept opportunists who have never stepped foot to Addis Ababa and Khartoum who are now saying that I am not qualified, those who don’t understand this agreement or never participated in it and those who don’t know the several discussions and meditation we went through over years should understand we have one clear principle,” Mayen told journalists in Jubaon Wednesday.

He said that those opposed to his leadership are parties that joined OPP later on, adding that the rebels lack the moral ground to kick him out of OPP leadership.

“There is no way for fewopportunists who didn’t sign the Declaration of Principles (DoP) to come in and dictate terms to us. If there is an issue within the OPP, they should understand who the leaders of the OPP are?” said Mayen.

Mayen said they are not just after participating in the transitional unity government, adding that they are instead after ensuring development and prosperity of South Sudan.

“We have always been open to compromises for inclusion but that shouldn’t be at our expense to such humiliation that the public and the media is being misled,” he said.

He further warned his critics to desist from undermining his leadership and work toward moving this country forward.

However, Albino Akol Atak spokesperson of the dissenting parties said Mayen is not fit to lead to lead the opposition alliance.

The five parties recently convened a meeting which resolved to submit another list of nominees for appointment in the reconstituted legislative national assembly ahead of the swearing-in of legislators this week.