JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN —
The secretary general of the main opposition party in South Sudan, the SPLM-DC, has resigned, accusing the exiled chairman of his party of stoking divisions.
SPLM-DC Secretary General Sisto Olur Erista said party chair, Lam Akol, has encouraged tribalism in the party.
Akol, who went into exile after South Sudan became independent in July 2011, saying he felt his life was in danger, denied the charges in a telephone interview with VOA News from the Middle East.
As the SPLM-DC was riven by divisions, the ruling SPLM party's political bureau, the main decision-making body of the party, gathered for the first time since the country gained independence two years ago, to discuss changing the party's constitution and manifesto.
The last time the political bureau of the SPLM met was in April 2008, which was also the last time the party held elections.
SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters before the closed-door politburo meeting that one thing to be discussed is how to help win over voters to the party.
The three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo is being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and comes ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.
SPLM-DC Secretary General Sisto Olur Erista said party chair, Lam Akol, has encouraged tribalism in the party.
Akol, who went into exile after South Sudan became independent in July 2011, saying he felt his life was in danger, denied the charges in a telephone interview with VOA News from the Middle East.
As the SPLM-DC was riven by divisions, the ruling SPLM party's political bureau, the main decision-making body of the party, gathered for the first time since the country gained independence two years ago, to discuss changing the party's constitution and manifesto.
The last time the political bureau of the SPLM met was in April 2008, which was also the last time the party held elections.
SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters before the closed-door politburo meeting that one thing to be discussed is how to help win over voters to the party.
The three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo is being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and comes ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.
