The dismissed members had earlier removed Dr. Lam Akol from his position as chairman of the National Democratic Party, a move that was squashed yesterday and the individuals ousted instead

By James Chatim

The opposition party, National Democratic Movement (NDM) has dismissed six key members for announcing that they removes Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.

The NDM expressed that those members are after job opportunities and have seen doors for the party are closing.

In a statement during the press conference held at the NDM Office Headquarter in Juba on Thursday, Kai Tap Gatchang, the party’s Spokesperson said the legitimate organ to remove the Chairman is only the National Delegates Congress.

He said the members who tried to remove the NDM Chairman including Manjoub Biel Turuk and Peter Lumde Francis with others who joined them lost their membership and spelled from the party due to their action.

“On 24 January 2026, NDM issued a press release in which it informed the public about its position in government that are being grabbed by the SPLM-IG and the recommendations were not being effected by the Appointing authority, some going back to 43 months ago. Being the jobists they are and out of opportunism, they saw the doors closing against the NDM and that it will not be able to upon any person in government anymore. Hence, they jumped out looking for greener pastures. Whatever the case may be, NDM was not looking for anything more than its share allocated to it by the peace agreement. If others violate agreement to keep NDM out of government that will not make us abandon our objective. Our commitment to peace is unconditional. If indeed the elections will be conducted in December 2026 those behind them will meet us in the field,” said NDM Spokesperson Kai Tap Gatchang.

Manjoub Biel Turuk.

“The National Executive Committee in its extra ordinary meeting No. 161 dated 5 February 2026, deliberated on the press statement signed by the three members of the NLC and would like to emphasize the following,” he emphasized.

“The only NDM organ that has the power to remove the Chairman is the National Delegates Congress (NDC). Article 13 (6) of the Basic Rules defines one of the functions and duties of NDC as “Discipline the Chairperson or relieve him/her of office in the event that he/she exceeds his/her powers stipulated in these Basic Rules,” Tap explained.

“By their action the group has per Article 9 of the Basic Rules lost their membership in NDM. On the basis of the above and in addition to the photos provided by the group, the following members have lost their membership in the party and are therefore expelled with effect from today, 5 February 2026: Ali Ramadan wubul, Manjoub Biel Turuk, Peter Lumde Francis, Monrop Nger Duop, Essa Mustafa Zerara and Yoanes William Ojwok,” He concluded.

On Wednesday, some NDM group announced it had removed Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin as party leader, accusing him of repeatedly violating party rules and undermining internal democracy.

The announcement was made at a press conference in Juba by Peter Lomude Francis, a senior NDM member, who read a statement on behalf of the group and said the decision had been taken by the party’s highest decision-making body following consultations and internal reviews.