JUBA—A faction of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), led by veteran politician Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, has terminated the membership of its former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State chairperson, Mayen Kon Akot, after defection claim.
The faction rejected claims attributed to Mayen that he had defected with other members in the state, insisting that his departure was an individual decision and that no other members of the party’s state leadership defected with him.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 12, NDM spokesperson Cle. Kai Tap Gatchang said Mayen’s departure was an individual decision and did not represent a collective defection by the party’s leadership in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
“In view of the foregoing, the National Democratic Movement hereby declares that Mayen Kon’s membership in the party is terminated, effective 12th October 2026,” Gatchang said.
The statement responded to a letter circulated on October 3, in which Mayen reportedly presented his position as representing the NDM in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
“First and foremost, the NDM would like to clarify that Mayen Kon, the former Chairperson of NDM in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, did not defect with any member of the party’s leadership. As such any claim to the contrary must be treated as misleading, meant to lend weight to his individual departure,” he said.
The spokesperson also questioned the authenticity of the letterhead used in the circulated document, which he said did not match the party’s officially approved format.
“Secondly, the letterhead used by the defector does not match the officially approved letterhead of the NDM. This by itself suggests that the statement was written elsewhere for him to sign in search of greener pastures,” Gatchang said.
He alleged that the party had observed changes in Mayen’s activities since July but said his eventual departure did not surprise its leadership.
“We are aware of the circumstances surrounding his defection and promise given him to induce it. We observed since last July-2026, that the once active State Chairperson was not himself, but we allowed the events to take their course. We are not surprised by the defection,” he added.
The statement did not identify the person or group allegedly involved in persuading Mayen to leave the party. The allegations concerning the letterhead and circumstances of his departure could not be independently verified.
“The NDM in NBG remains committed to its political principles, institutional integrity, and collective leadership. No individual’s departure, regardless of their former position, shall be misrepresented as a collective decision of the Movement or undermine its established identity and authority,” Gatchang said.
It remains unclear whether Mayen’s departure is connected to the wider leadership dispute or whether he intends to join another political party.
NDM’s internal leadership dispute
The latest dispute comes as the NDM faces an internal leadership crisis ahead of South Sudan’s planned December 22, 2026, general elections.
In February 2026, a group led by the party’s former party secretary-general Mahjoub Biel Turuk announced that it had removed Lam Akol as party chairman, accusing him of violating party rules and undermining internal democracy.
Akol rejected the move, arguing that the group lacked the authority to remove him under the party’s rules. The NDM leadership under Akol subsequently announced the expulsion of members associated with the move.
The dispute resurfaced in September and October, when the NDM and other opposition parties accused the Political Parties Council (PPC) of changing their registered leadership records without proper notification.
The NDM, led by Akol, disputed the recognition of a rival leadership associated with Mahjoub Biel Turuk, creating competing claims over who represents the party officially.
The Political Parties Council did not respond to the allegation. However, the rival party led by Mahjoub Biel Turuk, defended the PPC’s action, stating that they were the legitimate party registered after meeting the requirements.
Akol founded the NDM in 2016 after leaving the Democratic Change party, which he had established in 2009 following his departure from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The NDM emerged as an opposition movement advocating political change and a more inclusive system of governance.