James Wani Igga will remain as vice president under the terms of a new peace proposal to South Sudan's warring parties, while the rebel SPLM-IO will take the new position of First Vice President.

The proposal by the East African regional bloc IGAD envisages that the two warring parties will rule together as a 'Transitional Government of National Unity,' until elections.

Article 7.1 of the IGAD peace proposal says, “The incumbent Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan shall serve as Vice President for the Transition Period.”

Igga's powers and functions would include oversight of the work of the national commissions and parastatals, which include the Civil Service Commission, Peace Commission, Land Commission and Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, among others.

He would also serve as a member of the National Security Council and National Defense Council.

Igga has previously announced that he would not give up his position for Riek Machar. The latter is eligible under the terms of the new agreement to take the position of First Vice President.

The functions of the First Vice President are outlined in detail in section 6 of the agreement and section 8, which proposes a “collegial decision-making” process within the Executive, involving the president, vice president and first vice president.

File photo: James Wani Igga (left)

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