National Alliance of Political Parties splits over presidential bid

The National Alliance of Political Parties (NAOPP) has split into rival factions following the announcement of a presidential bid by its chairperson, Kornelio Kon Ngu. Kon, who also serves as the Third Deputy Speaker, declared his intention to challenge President Salva Kiir in the December 2026 elections.

In response to the announcement, eight member parties announced they had withdrawn their confidence in Kon. Led by Paulino Lukudu Obede, chairman of the United South Sudan Party, the dissenting group accused Kon of violating alliance regulations, making unilateral decisions without consultation, and abusing his position through favoritism and the appointment of relatives and friends to positions.

Kon has since expelled the United South Sudan Party from the alliance. While the dissenting faction maintains that Kon was not endorsed as the alliance’s official presidential candidate, Kon’s allies, including alliance secretary-general Richard Valent Omwony, assert that he remains the legitimate chairman and the group's candidate for the upcoming elections.