James Wani Igga

James Wani Igga is a prominent South Sudanese politician who has served as the Vice President of South Sudan since 2013 under President Salva Kiir Mayardit. A founding member of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), he played a significant role in the Second Sudanese Civil War and the subsequent peace process that led to the independence of South Sudan. His political career includes key positions such as Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly and a period as the Secretary-General of the SPLM.

Early life and education

James Wani Igga was born in 1949 in Loka, located in the Equatoria region of what was then Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. He pursued his higher education at the prestigious University of Khartoum, where he studied economics and became actively involved in student politics. His time at the university coincided with a period of rising political consciousness in southern Sudan, which shaped his early ideological leanings. Following his graduation, he initially worked in the civil service of the Government of Sudan before the outbreak of renewed conflict drew him into the rebel movement.

Political career

Igga's political career became deeply intertwined with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) after he joined the movement in the 1980s. He rose through the ranks of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, eventually serving as its Secretary-General and becoming a close confidant of its leader, John Garang. Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, which ended the Second Sudanese Civil War, Igga was appointed as the first Speaker of the newly established Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly in Juba. In this role, he was instrumental in drafting the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan and overseeing the legislative transition toward the 2011 South Sudanese independence referendum.

Vice Presidency

After the independence of South Sudan in 2011, Igga continued to serve as Speaker until a major political reshuffle in 2013. Following the dismissal of Riek Machar from the vice presidency by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Igga was appointed as the second Vice President of South Sudan on 23 August 2013. His tenure has been marked by the ongoing South Sudanese Civil War, during which he has remained a loyalist to President Kiir and the SPLM in Government faction. He has been involved in various national dialogue initiatives and peace processes, including the negotiations that led to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan signed in Addis Ababa.

Personal life

James Wani Igga is married to Mary Ayen, and the couple has children. He is a devout Christian, which reflects the dominant religious demographic of South Sudan. Known for his calm demeanor and scholarly approach, Igga is often described as an intellectual within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. His interests include reading and he is recognized for his efforts to promote unity among the diverse communities of South Sudan, often emphasizing the importance of national cohesion in his public addresses.

Legacy and recognition

James Wani Igga is recognized as a key figure in the struggle for South Sudanese independence and its subsequent state-building efforts. His long service in both legislative and executive branches of government has made him a stabilizing figure in the often-volatile politics of Juba. While his legacy is complex due to his tenure during a period of civil war, he is credited with maintaining institutional continuity and advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts within the framework of the Transitional Government of National Unity. His contributions are documented in historical accounts of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the founding of the Republic of South Sudan. Category:1949 births Category:Vice presidents of South Sudan Category:Sudan People's Liberation Movement politicians Category:University of Khartoum alumni Category:Living people