JUBA – South Sudan’s former Vice President James Wani Igga on Saturday insisted he remains the ruling party’s first deputy chairman, rejecting claims that his appointment as secretary-general (SG) constituted a demotion. This came in response to earlier reports suggesting he had declined the role.
Last week, President Salva Kiir removed Igga from his position as vice president for the economic cluster, alongside Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi. The purge also saw SPLM secretary-general Peter Lam Both and spy chief Gen. Akech Tong Aleu dismissed from their posts.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Igga said he accepted his removal as vice president but had not commented on his new appointment as the SPLM SG.
“H.E. Prof. James Wani Igga, Former Vice President of the Republic and Chairman of the Economic Cluster, has not issued any official statement regarding his appointment as SPLM Secretary General,” the statement read.
“Prof. Wani Igga accepted his removal from the position of Vice President of the Republic and Chairman of the Economic Cluster as a normal routine in governments worldwide. H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, is exercising his constitutional duties,” the statement continued.
Both Igga and Abdelbagi were replaced by Benjamin Bol Mel and Josephine Joseph Lagu, respectively, as vice presidents for the economic and service clusters. The former vice presidents were reappointed as SPLM Secretary General and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
Igga, who had served as Vice President since 2013, stated that his role as SPLM first deputy chairman remains intact until the party leadership convenes to make a decision.
“The appointment and position in the party are not about demotion or promotion, but about party discipline and obedience as a true trained political cadre,” he said.
“Former Vice President Prof. Wani Igga is the SPLM 1st Deputy Chairman and SPLM Secretary General Designate,” Igga added, noting that an official statement would be issued once the SPLM leadership holds a meeting.
He also urged the public to disregard information circulating on social media, calling it false and fabricated news that could fuel division and hatred among the public.
Igga’s removal from key positions in both the government and the ruling party has fueled speculation that President Kiir is preparing former adviser-turned-vice president Benjamin Bol Mel as his successor.
Kiir removed Mel from his position as SPLM deputy secretary-general last week, a move seen as clearing the path for his appointment as the party’s first deputy chairman.
Under the 2018 peace agreement, which established the current transitional government and divided power between Kiir’s SPLM, SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar, and three other parties, the SPLM first deputy chairman would succeed the president in the event of death or incapacitation.
