The South Sudan Political Parties Council (PPC) has come under public scrutiny over its integrity, with several party leaders questioning its actions. The council, led by Hon. Eng. James Akol Zakayo, has been accused of altering the names of legitimate party leaders and extending the registration deadline for new parties. The allegations were made by leaders of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC).
The affected parties, including the NDM and SSNMC, claim that the PPC has replaced their leaders' names with those of other individuals. They also cite the registration of seven additional parties after the official deadline of June 30, set by the PPC. The council had previously announced that 39 parties had met the deadline and were eligible to participate in the elections. The party leaders question how the deadline was extended to allow new parties to register.
The NDM and SSNMC have been struggling with internal leadership crises. The NDM has never settled a dispute between Dr. Lam Akol and Mahjoub Biel Turuk, while the SSNMC has faced turmoil since its former leader, Hon. Bangasi Bakosoro, left the party and rejoined his former SPLM party. The parties were members of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a signatory to the R-ARCSS.
The SSOA has faced challenges, including a lack of consensus and trust among its leaders. The alliance failed to nominate a single candidate for the SSOA VP quota, and its leaders nominated themselves instead. President Kiir appointed Hon. Abdel Bagi Akol as VP, sparking a new rivalry within the alliance. Some SSOA members continued to support Josephine Lagu, while others followed Abdel Bagi.
The PPC's actions have raised concerns about its integrity and impartiality. The council's leadership, under Eng. Zakayo, is subject to public and legal scrutiny if the allegations are true. The affected party leaders may seek litigation in the courts of law, with the PPC as the first respondent and the new party leaders as second respondents.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) may need to disqualify parties with internal disputes from participating in the elections. Opposition groups in South Sudan have faced challenges in resolving internal party transitions, raising questions about their ability to govern the country. The NEC should consider disqualifying candidates from parties with internal disputes.
The situation has sparked calls for urgent action to strengthen South Sudan's electoral preparedness. The country's opposition groups have been criticized for their inability to resolve internal conflicts, and the PPC's actions have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The outcome of the situation remains uncertain, with various options, including litigation and disqualification of parties, being considered.
Key points
- The PPC's actions have raised concerns about its integrity and impartiality.
- The affected party leaders may seek litigation in the courts of law.
- The NEC may need to disqualify parties with internal disputes from participating in the elections.
