Juba (AFP) - Key leaders of South Sudan's ruling party charged President Salva Kiir with "dictatorial" behaviour Friday, warning of instability threatening the young nation in a deeply controversial challenge to his rule.
The group were led by powerful politician Riek Machar, a charismatic but controversial leader who fought on both sides of Sudan's brutal 1983-2005 civil war, and who was sacked as vice-president in July.
It also included Rebecca Garang, the widow of South Sudan's founding father John Garang.
The statement makes public the bitter divisions within the former rebel movement turned political party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).
"The deep-seated divisions within the SPLM leadership, exacerbated by dictatorial tendencies of the SPLM chairman (Kiir)... are likely to create instability in the party and in the country," Machar warned, reading a joint statement.
Machar was joined at a news conference at party headquarters in the capital Juba by suspended SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum, former justice minister John Luk Jok, and former security minister Oyai Deng.
[1]Riek Machar, then Vice-President of South Sudan, speaks before the flag of South Sudan is raised out …
South Sudan won its independence in 2011 after its people voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to split from the north and form a new nation.
Since independence, Kiir has struggled to stem rampant corruption and quell rebellion and conflict in the grossly impoverished but oil-rich nation, left devastated by decades of war.
"The SPLM is not a ruling party," Machar added, calling for a meeting of its top leadership. "In practice, decisions are essentially made by one person."
Machar fought on both sides of the civil war, leading a splinter SPLM faction that sided with the Sudanese government in Khartoum, battling troops commanded by Kiir, who comes from the Dinka people.
Machar's troops were accused of a brutal massacre in the ethnic Dinka town of Bor in 1991.
Kiir is currently in Paris at summit of some 40 leaders.
Machar has previously said he will challenge Kiir to be the SPLM presidential candidate in elections due in 2015.
- Politics & Government
- Riek Machar
- South Sudan
- SPLM
References
- ^ Riek Machar, then Vice-President of South Sudan, speaks … (news.yahoo.com)
Source http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-leaders-challenge-39-dictatorial-39-president-202027077.html
Newer articles:
- Sudan: 'Don't Be Fooled and Pay for Prayer' - 09/12/2013 12:10
- Former U.S. envoy says nationwide inclusive dialogue in Sudan only way to resolve crisis - 09/12/2013 05:10
- US monitoring media threats in S. Sudan, says envoy - 09/12/2013 04:40
- Students learn by helping Sudanese - 09/12/2013 03:39
- South Africa: South Sudan Mourns Nelson Mandela - 07/12/2013 15:51
Older news items
- South Sudan Mourns Nelson Mandela - 06/12/2013 17:00
- South Sudan oil output reaches 245,000 bpd - 06/12/2013 09:09
- South Sudan: World's Youngest Nation Struggling to Meet Needs of Its People - 05/12/2013 13:41
- AFRICA INVESTMENT-Intrepid bankers reap rewards in Africa's newest state - 05/12/2013 13:07
- South Sudan struggling to meet needs of people: UN - 05/12/2013 08:54
Latest news items (all categories):
- The power struggles among South Sudan’s political leaders are the direct cause of its ongoing conflict - 11/07/2026 14:03
- Celebrating Independence In The Midst Of Sorrow - 11/07/2026 13:41
- South Sudan resumes oil-backed financing - 11/07/2026 13:33
- Press statement: Strive For National Unity In Honor Of South Sudan's Independence - 10/07/2026 21:23
- Fifteen years of independence for South Sudan, but still little to celebrate - 10/07/2026 21:23
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan rebels 'shoot down' air force bomber - AFP - 08/11/2012 10:00
- South Sudan govt refuses to sign peace as sanction deadline ends - 17/08/2015 11:56
- South Africa judge bans Sudanese President from leaving the country after International arrest warrant issued as he appeared at African Union summit in Johannesburg - 14/06/2015 17:02
- Sudan PM hopes to settle US$60 bln foreign debt this year - 13/05/2021 04:15
- Mobile clinic brings healthcare to South Sudan villages - ChristianToday - 08/04/2013 11:21
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 147757 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27841 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 24931 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24251 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22160 times
