SPLM, the ruling party of South Sudan, has fractured since the start of a civil war in December 2013. The faction of the party based in Juba remains under the leadership of President Salva Kiir.

The SPLM-Juba faction controls the cabinet, a remnant of the SPLA, and several governorships. In a series of articles, Radio Tamazuj profiles some key party members who have remained loyal to Salva Kiir since the start of the crisis.

Factbox: James Wani Igga

James Wani Igga was born in 1949 in Krillo village, Lobonok Payam of western Juba County. He attended elementary and intermediate schools at Okaru and Tonj, before moving to Rumbek for secondary school.

Igga studied at a university in Cairo before joining the SPLA in the mid-1980s. He was one of a group of several new officers sent by the rebel movement in 1986 to a military training course in Cuba.

After returning to South Sudan in 1987, Igga eventually rose to the rank of SPLA Zonal Commander in central Equatoria, and also into the SPLM/A high command.

The Equatorian commander was appointed to head a new SPLM central finance secretariat after the 1994 Chukudum Convention.

Igga led the first SPLM delegation into Juba when the former garrison town was opened to the ex-rebels after the signing of the Naivasha agreement.

In the Sudan General Election of 2010, Igga stood for election to the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly representing Juba North (1) constituency.

Igga served as national assembly speaker from 2010 until 2013. In this capacity, he read out South Sudan’s Declaration of Independence on 9 July 2011.

In August 2013, Igga was appointed vice president of South Sudan one month after the removal of Riek Machar, Kiir’s former deputy.

File photo: James Wani Igga (left)

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