Greater Equatoria leaders want Igga maintained as VP
January 30, 2015 (JUBA) – Leaders from South Sudan’s Greater Equatoria region on Friday opposed a proposal by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to have rebel leader Riek Machar appointed as the country’s first vice-president.
“It is our firm position as leaders of the people of Equatoria region and we will stand by it. Our position is clear. We have resolved that James Wani becomes the first vice president because has never waived against any cause, having shown strong loyalty to the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) and the people of South Sudan at all times since he joined the movement. He remained with the SPLM,” said cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro.
“We [leaders from Greater Equatoria] have compromised enough,” he said.
An extraordinary summit of the IGAD heads of state and government which convened on Thursday has been adjourned until Saturday in order to give the two warring parties more time to reach an agreement on a document imposed by the regional leaders.
The move comes after South Sudan president Salva Kiir and Machar, the leader of the opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) failed to agree on leadership structure and power-sharing arrangements during face-to-face talks on Thursday.
IGAD leaders, however, decided to dictate a principle agreement to the two warring parties, warning it would take unspecified action should the rival leaders fail to accept proposed terms by Saturday.
“Failure to reach an agreement by Saturday afternoon along the dictated IGAD principles shall take firm action before any other body,” leaders from the regional bloc said in a joint statement.
The IGAD-imposed principle agreement has endorsed Kiir as the president of the would-be Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU), saying “this is a non-violating principle”.
In addition to the president, the document calls for the leadership structure to be comprised of a first vice-president (from the SPLM-IO) and a vice-president, which IGAD has dictated must come from the Greater Equatoria region and remain the incumbent Igga.
The imposed agreement, however, fell short of outlining the specific duties of the three principals in the executive leadership, saying this would be left to be worked out by the two parties.
IGGA SPEAKS OUTS
Meanwhile, vice-president Igga said he would abide by the will of the people of the Greater Equatoria region as well as South Sudan.
“When I became the vice president, it was not me who nominated myself. It was the work of the people of South Sudan because they know what I am capable of doing for their interest, not my interest. If they want me to accept what they are saying now, why not. I will not let them down again,” the vice-president told reporters in Juba.
“I have done that before for the sake of peace and unity of our people and for them not to be distracted from the main cause, but some people misunderstood this and think I will do that again,” he added.
Thomas Wani, the head of the parliamentary committee for information, said the Greater Equatoria should be recognised for its contributions and that certain key positions be allotted to its people.
The legislator further warned the East African regional leaders not to reward rebellion, if they want sustainable peace in the country.
“Our position as you heard from Martin Lomuro is clear and simple. We want James Wani Igga to remain in his position and to become the first vice president if this is the new arrangement,” he said.
(ST)