Gabriel Changson Lew Chang, the former chairman of National Committee for Finance and Resource Mobilization for SPLM/SPLA in Opposition during an interview with TV2Africa in June this year(Photo: TV2Africa)
July 2, 2019(Nyamilepedia) — The rival factions of South Sudan’s Opposition Alliances, which were divided behind Hon. Gabriel Changson Lew Chang and late Lt. Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka, have sought out their differences and came up with new terms and structures.
The rival factions of SSOA met on June 8th, 2019 and agreed that the alliance shall be led through a six-month rotational leadership in which each of the 9 chairpersons of the alliance shall take turns to lead for a period of six months.
According to a communique extended to Nyamilepedia, the first interim period of six months shall be led by the newly elected successor of late Lt. Gen. Peter Gatdet, Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, for the South Sudan United Movement/Army Forces(SSUM/AF).
“The unified SSOA Leadership takes this opportunity to inform the general public that from today Hon. Denay Jock Chagor is the Chairman of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).” Read part of the communique.
After six months, Hon. Denay shall step down and Hon. Changson Lew Chang of the Federal Democratic Party/South Sudan Armed Forces(FDP/SSAF) shall take over for another six months.
After Hon. Changson, the chairpersons of seven other parties in the alliance shall take turns to lead the alliance for a maximum period of six months, each.
Dr Lam Akol Ajawin, one of the sidelined leaders of the alliance
If implemented successfully, at least 4 chairpersons of the SSOA could be Vice Presidents during the Revatilize-Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan(R-ARCSS) before the end of the transitonal period and the elections.
Before the sudden death of Lt. Gen. Peter Gatdet, Hon. Changson was voted out from the interim leadership of the SSOA on Novemerber 30th 2018 in the capital, Juba; however, Changson and his group protested the elections and rejected the results.
For the last seven months, the two groups have had very little interaction; however, some mediations by the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) and Swiss Embassy in South Sudan resulted into reunification of the factions last month.
On June 8th, the leaders of SSOA have agreed to form a 9-member committee to share the cake equally between the alliance.
“For the distribution of the R-ARCSS positions accruing to SSOA, a committee composed of 9 members representing SSOA member organizations formed to develop objective criteria.” Read part of the communique.
The United SSOA calls on the region and the international community to recognize their new position and also pledges its full commitment to the impelementation of the peace agreement.
“To this effect, we would like to inform SSOA member organizations, partners in the R-ARCSS, regional and international bodies, supporters and well-wishers about this new development. We also would like to express our full commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement.” The communique continued.
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