SSOMA Condemns Kiir Coup: South Sudan Faces Constitutional Crisis

• The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) has condemned President Salva Kiir's actions as a coup d’état against the nation's constitutional order.
• SSOMA asserts that President Kiir dissolved the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and established an illegitimate caretaker administration.
• The alliance has consistently rejected the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) as flawed and ineffective.
• SSOMA calls for a genuine, inclusive, and comprehensive national peace process to address the constitutional and political crisis.
• The opposition group also categorically rejects "sham elections" being planned by President Kiir and the SPLM-IG.

The opposition alliance further declared that the current administration, led by Salva Kiir, operates without legitimate constitutional authority, accusing the President of orchestrating a coup through manipulation, coercion, and intimidation, leveraging state resources and security apparatus to seize control of the constitutional order.

The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), under the leadership of National Salvation Front (NAS) rebel chief Gen. Thomas Cirillo, has vehemently denounced President Salva Kiir's recent actions, characterizing them as a coup d’état. In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by SSOMA Secretary General Emmanuel Ajawin, the alliance asserted that President Kiir's political maneuvers culminated in a direct assault on the nation's constitutional framework. SSOMA alleges that Kiir dissolved the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and subsequently installed an unlawful caretaker administration. This development, according to SSOMA, represents a severe political, security, and constitutional crisis for South Sudan.

The opposition alliance further declared that the current administration, led by Salva Kiir, operates without legitimate constitutional authority, accusing the President of orchestrating a coup through manipulation, coercion, and intimidation, leveraging state resources and security apparatus to seize control of the constitutional order. This strong condemnation from SSOMA condemns Kiir coup South Sudan, marking a significant escalation in the country's political instability.

This latest declaration from SSOMA underscores its long-held position regarding the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The alliance has consistently rejected R-ARCSS as an effective mechanism for achieving lasting peace and resolving the conflict, arguing that it fails to address the fundamental causes of the nation's strife. SSOMA views the current political developments as a vindication of its principled stance, reiterating that the R-ARCSS is inherently flawed and incapable of delivering sustainable peace. The group maintains that President Kiir's alleged actions, including the dissolution of the RTGoNU and the establishment of an illegitimate administration, are part of a broader pattern of undermining constitutional governance.

SSOMA explicitly rejects the notion of addressing the current South Sudan constitutional crisis through unilateral political measures, emphasizing the need for a truly inclusive process. Furthermore, the alliance categorically rejects what it terms "sham elections" being planned by Salva Kiir and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG), insisting that any electoral process must be properly preceded by necessary political reforms. This R-ARCSS rejection by SSOMA highlights the deep divisions over the country's political future.

In light of the escalating crisis, SSOMA calls new peace process, advocating for a genuine, inclusive, and comprehensive national dialogue to chart a path forward for South Sudan. This proposed dialogue, which SSOMA suggests should convene in a neutral venue outside the country, aims to involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including political parties, opposition movements, civil society groups, faith-based organizations, and traditional leaders. The objective is to establish a credible framework for constitutional governance, sustainable peace, and a democratic transition. SSOMA proposes that this new comprehensive peace process should draw upon existing documents from previous peace efforts, specifically citing R-ARCSS, the Rome Peace Process, the National Dialogue, and the Tumaini Peace Process as foundational texts.

The alliance has also urged urgent international and regional intervention to address the severe humanitarian situation in the country. SSOMA specifically appealed to South Sudanese stakeholders, the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations, neighboring states, and other international partners to engage in urgent consultations regarding the emerging constitutional and political crisis, seeking support for a peaceful and genuine resolution. The alliance commended the United Nations and regional actors for their prior emphasis on inclusive political dialogue, particularly the importance of involving non-signatory stakeholders in achieving a sustainable political settlement. This comprehensive approach underscores SSOMA's commitment to a broad-based resolution for the challenges facing what it calls the Salva Kiir illegitimate administration.

Lawyers and compliance officers with interests in South Sudan must recognize the declared illegitimacy of President Kiir's administration by a major opposition alliance, signaling profound constitutional instability. This creates significant legal and operational risks regarding the validity of government actions, contracts, and the enforceability of laws, necessitating heightened due diligence and risk assessment for clients operating in or engaging with the country.

Source: Original reporting via a press statement from SSOMA.