OPINION: PPC under public scrutiny: What next for South Sudan’s political parties?

The South Sudan Political Parties Council (PPC), led by Hon. Eng. James Akol Zakayo, has decided to subject itself to public scrutiny over its integrity at the earliest stage. I am referring to the press release made by the tripartite triumvirate comprising Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, leader of NDM; Hon. Moro Genesio, leader of SSNMC; and Mr. Bol Joseph Agau, NDM Secretary-General. According to these leaders, they reported alterations to their names as legitimate leaders of their parties, as adopted during the registration process, adding that their names have been replaced by different leaders by the PPC. They said the Federal Democratic Party (FDP) is equally affected, as the party’s logo has been compromised. The party leaders, in their press release, further cited the registration of seven (7) additional parties after the official deadline of 30 June set forth by the PPC.

According to the leaders, the PPC previously announced the registration of 39 political parties that met the deadline, were fully registered, and were eligible to participate in the elections. They questioned how the deadline had been extended to allow new parties to register. These aggrieved officials accused PPC Chairman James Akol Zakayo of issuing an order that affected changes in party leaders’ names. They attributed the move to a blueprint to exclude them from contesting in the forthcoming elections and to purge their parties through internal divisions. What We Know About the Parties (NDM and SSNMC): 1. Both parties were members of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a signatory to the R-ARCSS. 2. Both parties have been struggling with internal leadership crises. NDM, for instance, has never settled the dispute between Dr. Lam Akol and Mahjoub Biel Turuk. In February 2026, an NDM faction…