March 6th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – Former South Sudan Minister of Labour and Public Service, Gen. Gathoth Gatkouth Hothnyang said on Wednesday that the country’s First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai has lost legitimacy urging him to resign.
Last week, Gen. Gatkuoth was selected by members of SPLM-IO (IG) to replace Gen. Taban who joined Kiir’s ruling faction as the leader of the opposition group in Juba. The FVP Taban later issued a statement warning members of his groups of siding with Gen. Gatkuoth in an apparent power struggle.
In an exclusive interview with the Nyamilepedia on Wednesday, Gen. Gatkuoth who is currently in Juba said Taban Deng Gai has lost legitimacy to remain as the First Vice President because he decided to rejoin the SPLM mainstream led by President Kiir.
“We have made what is called the vote of no confidence against Gen. Taban Deng Gai as the Chairman of SPLM-IO because he has already reunited with the SPLM mainstream,” Gen. Gathoth told the Nyamilepedia on Wednesday morning.
“So, the former Chairman of the SPLM-IO Gen. Taban lost legitimacy to remain as First Vice President. So, we are asking him to resign, to step down to pave the way for the SPLM-IO [IG] to take over his position,” he added.
‘Intimidation conspiracy’
Gen. Gathoth further said the First Vice President has no power to remove MPs representing the group in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) because he is no longer the leader of the group urging him to stop what he said was a ‘intimidation conspiracy’.
“He has no powers to remove our MPs from the parliament [just] because they have supported the IGC [or the] Interim Governing Council of the SPLM-IO. Taban already lost legitimacy to be the Chairman of the SPLM-IO. We want him to stop the intimidation conspiracy.”
‘Maduro of Venezuela’
Gen. Gathoth further referred to Gen. Taban Deng as Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela who is hesitant to leave power despite sharp discontent and opposition from the Venezuelan people reiterating his call for him to step down.
“There is no need for him to remain as Maduro of Venezuela. He has not supporters he has no people. We have withdrawn our support and our confidence from him,” he said.
“Right now, we are asking Taban to step down immediately because he has no any legitimacy to remain as First Vice President Representing SPLM-IO,” he reiterated.
