Artists Union split over leadership row

The South Sudan Artists’ Union has been split into two opposing factions fighting for it’s leadership.

Kuol Deng alias Kay Law, a rapper who is the current legal advisor for South Sudan Artist Union on Thursday accused his President Hamet Deng William of sowing seeds of discord when he fired some members in his cabinet.

 “The artists’ union is preparing to get a new leader, we want a new body, but instead of the President joining us he decreed his new government making himself the leader and taking major positions to Bahr El Ghazel,” said Deng in an interview in Juba.

“In 2020, we recommended William as interim President, we agreed he serves six months which have elapsed, and we are now looking for a candidate from Equatoria region,” he added.

Hamet Deng William last week issued executive order restructuring his cabinet where he appointed new members irking some of his colleagues.

Among those appointed by William include, Bilpam Akech the new Vice President replacing Duop Pur Duop.

Other new faces include Nicky Prince as Secretary General, John New the Finance Secretary and Lengu Alfred Garang aka Mr. Lengs the new Information Secretary for the artist union. 

Acinbai Maluk aka Lucky Owner, the Executive Director for South Sudan Artist Union said William is no longer their legitimate President because he failed to deliver services to the artists. 

He added that the Secretary General is mandated to take full responsibility for the artists union since the term of the President expired.