By Alan Clement
The leadership of National Democratic Movement (NDM) has rejected what it described as an unconstitutional attempt by a faction within its leadership to remove party chairperson Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.
The part however expelled six members accused of violating the party’s Basic Rules.
Speaking to the Press on Wednesday party Spokesperson Kai Tap Gatchang said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting in an extraordinary session (Meeting No. 161) on 5 February 2026, deliberated on a letter and press conference issued by three members of the National Leadership Council (NLC) purporting to dismiss the party chairman.
“The only NDM organ that has the power to remove the Chairman is the National Delegates Congress (NDC),” Tap stated citing Article 13(6) of the party’s Basic Rules. “Any other claim is null and void.”
NDM said the move by the group amounted to a violation of Article 9 of the Basic Rules, which governs party discipline and membership. As a result, the NEC resolved that the members involved had automatically forfeited their membership.
The expelled members are Ali Ramadhan Ubul, Mahjoub Biel Turuk, Peter Lomude Francis, Monrop Nger Duop, Eissa Mustafa Zerrara, and Yoanes William Ojwok.
The party accused Mahjoub and Lomude both former senior officials of working against NDM since May 2024 and attempting to mobilise support within the party before defecting.
According to the statement, both men unsuccessfully contested for seats in the National Executive Committee during the 9th session of the NLC held from 9–11 August 2025, securing only 15 and 16 votes respectively out of 100.
“The theatrics we saw on 4 February 2026 are a familiar script,” he noted, adding that the party viewed the move as politically motivated and coordinated by external detractors.
Responding directly to the allegations, Dr. Lam Akol dismissed the claims against him as “a total fabrication,” insisting that no formal complaint had been raised through party organs.
“If they were genuine, the right place to do it is the National Delegates Congress,” Lam Akol said adding, “That is the only body mandated to amend the Basic Rules or discipline the chairperson.”
He noted that the NDC had already been scheduled for June 2026, four months away, and challenged his critics to contest leadership positions through established party processes.
“When the National Delegates Congress is held, everybody resigns and a new leadership is elected,” he said.
He added, “You don’t remove anyone through a press conference. You campaign and seek votes.”
Addressing accusations that he monopolised party and government positions along tribal lines, Lam Akol rejected the claims, citing the composition of the party’s parliamentary caucus and executive structures.
“These are empty claims. Our National Executive Committee represents all regions and tribes of South Sudan. There is no part of the country that is not represented,” Lam explained.
NDM reiterated that the party remains committed to the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, despite what it described as repeated attempts to marginalise it within the transitional government.
“Our commitment to peace is unconditional,” Lam said, adding that political disputes should ultimately be resolved through elections expected in December 2026.