James Wani Igga becomes South Sudan’s Vice President
An extraordinary sitting of the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly on Saturday, August 24 overwhelmingly approved the appointment, issued by Salva Kiir Mayardit in a presidential decree announced on the state-owned South Sudan Radio Friday evening, August 23.
James Wani Igga is a long-standing supporter of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party’s top ranks. Ahead of his appointment he was Speaker of the South Sudanese parliament.
He deserves it: I respect him.”
Some South Sudanese, especially those from his native Equatoria region, welcomed news of Wani Igga’s appointment. He deserves it: I respect him,” Peter Atem, a civil society activist, told The Niles. He is an icon in the SPLA,” he added, referring to the former-rebel group which has become the national army.
I want him to […] unite the South Sudanese, work hard and negotiate with Khartoum, Uganda and any other of South Sudan’s neighbouring countries,” Atem said.
President Salva Kiir dismissed the entire cabinet along with Riek Machar on July 24. This month he replaced it with a down-sized team. Machar has announced plans to challenge Kiir for the leadership of the SPLM so that he can run for president in the 2015 election.
Read Sudan Tribune’s
Kiir threatens to dissolve parliament unless it supports Wani Igga’s appointmentThe online news service, the Sudan Tribune, however, reported that the President on Saturday threatened to dissolve the national parliament unless the house supported his choice for Vice President.
From the Bari tribe, James Wani Igga is a long-standing member of the SPLM/A. He is the author of a number of books including Fundamentals of SPLM Political Work and Orientation Basic Concepts for SPLM Political enlightenment.
This week the president is likely to appoint a new speaker.
