The National Democratic Movement, South Sudan National Movement for Change, and Federal Democratic Party have accused the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council of fraudulently altering the leadership records of registered political parties. In a joint statement, the parties claimed the move was an abuse of office and violated the Political Parties Act. They stated that the PPC chairperson unilaterally replaced the listed leaders of the parties after they had already been officially registered.
The parties pointed to an earlier internal leadership dispute in the National Democratic Movement, where Mahjoub Biel Turok and other members claimed to have removed Dr. Lam Akol from the party leadership. The PPC chairperson, Eng. James Akol Zakayo, listed new authorized leaders for several political parties in a statement dated September 22. Mahjoub Biel Turuk was named as the authorized leader of the National Democratic Movement, replacing Dr. Lam Akol.
The changes have been challenged by the affected parties, who argue that the PPC Chairperson had no authority to unilaterally replace the leadership of already registered political parties. The joint statement argues that the decision to list Turok as the NDM's authorized leader effectively gave official recognition to a leadership change that had been disputed within the party. The parties claim that the PPC chairperson's action was not merely a change of names.
The parties cited the PPC's own earlier records, including a June 2026 announcement confirming the registration of the NDM and SSNMC and a July report by PPC Chairperson Eng. James Akol Zakayo to the R-JMEC, which identified Dr. Lam Akol as the leader of the NDM. They questioned how a party that had already been formally registered under one leadership could subsequently have its leader replaced without notice to the party or a process provided for under the law.
The parties also cited provisions of the Political Parties Act, 2012, as amended in 2022, arguing that the law provides procedures governing changes to the status of registered political parties but does not authorize the PPC chairperson to personally replace the leadership of a registered party. The joint statement described the alleged conduct as an abuse of power and a breach of the Chairperson's responsibilities.
The three parties said they reserve the right to pursue legal avenues to defend their rights under the Constitution and the law. The action has brought the PPC and the country into disrepute. A phone call and a WhatsApp message to seek the PPC chairperson's response were left unanswered.
The National Democratic Movement, South Sudan National Movement for Change, and Federal Democratic Party are now considering their next steps. They have expressed concerns about the implications of the PPC chairperson's actions for the country's political landscape. The situation remains unresolved, with the parties weighing their options for addressing the issue.
Key points
- The PPC chairperson's actions have been challenged by the affected parties.
- The parties claim that the PPC chairperson's action was an abuse of power and a breach of the Chairperson's responsibilities.
- The parties reserve the right to pursue legal avenues to defend their rights under the Constitution and the law.
