South Sudan opposition alliance to hold elections amid divisions

File photo: Josephine Joseph Lagu

South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) will soon elect a new chairperson, despite divisions in its leadership, an opposition official said.

The interim leader of SSOA faction, Josephine Joseph Lagu told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the opposition coalition will on September 14 hold elections to choose its new head to serve for the next six months.

She said the opposition coalition faction led by Mr. Denay Jock Chagor had been invited to take part in the elections. “The process will be inclusive and open to a number of observers and the media,” Lagu said.

Josephine further said elections will be supervised by an independent body so that it is acceptable to the divided factions of the alliance.

Chagor, who claims to be SSOA’s legitimate leader, vowed not to participate in next week’s elections, describing its procedures as “illegal”.

In July, a leadership row erupted within the South Sudan opposition coalition after six organisations rejected Denay Jock Chagor, as the new leader.

The move came after the opposition Federal Democratic Party and the South Sudan United Movement declared that the opposition coalition had agreed to appoint Denay Chagor as the new leader.

The opposition alliance, which is made up of nine opposition organisations, was divided over leadership since November 2018.

In September 2018, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and SSOA leaders signed a peace deal, the latest in a string of efforts to end the civil war.

A new unity government is expected to be formed in November 2019.