SSOA Defends PPC Over Registration of Seven Political Parties

By Jenifer James

The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) has defended the Political Parties Council (PPC) against allegations of abuse of power, insisting that seven political parties added to the official register were legitimate alliance members who had substantially completed the registration process before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

In a press statement issued on Monday, SSOA Secretary-General Changkuoth Bichiok Reth said the seven constituent parties were legitimate members of the alliance and had largely completed the registration process before the deadline.

He rejected allegations by Dr. Lam Akol and Isaac Moro Jenisio that the PPC chairperson arbitrarily added the parties to the register, describing the claims as “false and misleading.”

“The seven political parties alluded to are legitimate constituent members of SSOA,” the statement said.

According to Changkuoth, the delay in completing the registration of the seven parties was linked to their previous association with military wings.

He cited the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the Political Parties Act, 2012, as amended in 2022, which prohibit political parties from operating while maintaining independent military command structures.

Changkuoth explained that the seven party leaders relinquished their military commands and surrendered their forces to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the regular forces in December 2025.

“This was not a hidden arrangement. The formal relinquishment was publicly announced at the premises of the Ministry of Information and Communication and witnessed by the responsible government authorities, including media houses,” Changkuoth said.

He added that the move allowed the parties to proceed with registration as civilian political organizations.

“It was only after this fundamental issue was resolved that the parties were cleared for registration,” he stated.

Changkuoth further cited Section 26 of the Political Parties Act, which, he said, prohibits political parties from establishing military or paramilitary formations.

He accused Lam Akol and Isaac Moro of failing to take similar steps to relinquish their military structures.

“Their non-registration is a direct result of their own non-compliance, not an abuse of power by the PPC Chairperson,” Changkuoth asserted.

He urged the two political figures to comply with the law by relinquishing their military structures before seeking registration as civilian political organizations.

“We encourage Dr. Lam Akol and Mr. Isaac Moro to follow the same lawful path: relinquish your military structures, comply with the applicable legal requirements, and present your factions for registration as civilian political organizations,” Changkuoth said.

Changkuoth also rejected allegations concerning the identity and ownership of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), particularly claims involving Galdong Nyanyek Bichok and Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth.

He called for clarification of the individual’s legally recognized name and the identification documents under which he is registered.

“This matter should not be treated merely as a political argument. It is fundamentally a question of official identity and legal documentation,” Changkuoth concluded.