“We Have Not Endorsed Any Candidate,” SSOA Rebukes VP Abdelbagi Over Public Backing of Kiir’s Re-Election Bid

Fresh divisions have emerged within South Sudan’s opposition ranks after the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) publicly distanced itself from comments made by Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol endorsing President Salva Kiir’s presidential candidacy ahead of the country’s anticipated general elections.

The controversy erupted after Abdelbagi, who leads one faction of SSOA, urged Muslims in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to vote overwhelmingly for President Kiir during Eid al-Adha celebrations held in Aweil last week.

Addressing worshippers during the religious gathering, the vice president praised Kiir for safeguarding religious freedom since South Sudan gained independence and called on Muslims to unite behind the incumbent leader.

“We do not want any Muslim vote to go to anyone other than Salva Kiir,” Abdelbagi declared, appealing to the Muslim community to support the president in the elections scheduled for December.

His remarks quickly sparked criticism from within SSOA, with alliance leaders accusing him of acting independently and speaking without authorization from the coalition.

SSOA spokesperson Moro Genesio said the alliance had not endorsed any presidential candidate and had not discussed supporting Kiir or any other contender in the upcoming elections. TO GET FULL STORY, CLICK HERE.