South Sudanese opposition politician Kornelio Kon Ngu has denied withdrawing his bid for the presidency.
Kon, who leads the opposition National United Democratic Front (NUDF), also heads one of two factions of the National Alliance of Political Parties (NAPP), a coalition that has split into rival factions. He announced his presidential bid on Aug. 31, becoming the first politician to publicly declare his intention to challenge Kiir in the December election.
In a statement issued shortly after Radio Tamazuj received a separate statement claiming he had withdrawn, Kon said he remains in the presidential race and described reports of his withdrawal as untrue.
“I confirm that I am still contesting for the presidency,” Kon said in the statement.
Earlier on Thursday, Radio Tamazuj received a written statement from an individual claiming to represent Kornelio Kon that said the opposition leader had decided to withdraw from the presidential race.
Several calls by Radio Tamazuj to Kon went unanswered after the statement was received on Thursday afternoon.
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