National Legislative Assembly in Juba, June 2013. Photo: Murray Olds/EyeRadio

The parliament has unanimously passed the appointment of speaker James Wani Igga as the vice President of South Sudan.

Honorable Wani, who is a senior member of the SPLM ruling party, was appointed last evening through a presidential decree.

“This morning, the SPLM parliamentary Caucus first set and endorsed the appointment of the right honorable speaker James Wani Igga as the vice president of the republic of South Sudan,” Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told Eye Radio.

“Thereafter, the assembly sat at noon and unanimously endorsed the appointment of James Wani Igga as the vice president of the republic of South Sudan.

“Thereafter, he tabled his resignation to the assembly, and he will take oath [of office] tomorrow morning before the President.”

Honorable Makuei also said the appointment of Comrade James Wani “came at the right time.”

“He is the right person in the right place. There had been a vacuum which has now been filled with appointment.

“And there is no doubt that comrade Wani is the right person and he is competent and the right person to fill this position.

“He will be of great help to his Excellency the President, and will boost the delivery of services to our people.”

James Wani Igga, who served as the speaker of the national assembly since 2005, succeeds Former Vice President Doctor Riek Machar Teny who lost his position in the cabinet ruffle late last month.