South Sudan’s National Congress Party (NCP) has appointed Mohamed Almak as its new secretary general, replacing Kur Bangoang in a leadership shake-up that the party said on Wednesday was aimed at strengthening its organization ahead of expected elections.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters in Juba, NCP Chairperson Agnes Poni Lukudu said the change had been formally communicated to the Political Parties Council in a letter submitted on June 24.
Poni rejected allegations that the party had been handed over to Islamic organizations, describing the claims as false and warning they could inflame religious tensions in South Sudan.
“I sent this letter to the Political Parties Council on June 24,” Poni told reporters. “The party has been accused of being handed over to Islamic bodies. I do not understand what this means, and I reject it because it risks importing religious conflict into South Sudan. We have fought against religious conflict, and we do not want to encourage it.”
She acknowledged that some party members opposed the removal of Bangoang but said the leadership change was necessary to improve the party’s effectiveness as the country prepares for elections.
Poni said Bangoang had failed to adequately carry out key responsibilities assigned to him as secretary general.
“We are approaching a very important period as we prepare for elections. We need someone who can provide dynamic leadership,” she said.
She also accused Bangoang of spreading claims that the party had been taken over by Islamic organizations, an allegation she denied.
Poni said Almak’s appointment forms part of the party’s broader efforts to strengthen its organizational structures and improve its preparedness for the planned electoral process.
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