Vice President James Wani Igga says he will not step down for Dr Riek Machar.

The position of a First Vice President is one of the key issues in the power sharing arrangements being discussed in the peace talks.

The vice president told a gathering at the dinner organized by the government for South Sudanese Muslims in Juba on Thursday that, he is no longer what he himself termed ‘South Sudanese trash’.

“For the sake of peace,” Mr Wani said, “I’ve been giving up my position several times to Riek and it’s time for me to say no.”

This is not the first time for the vice president to reject any power sharing that is interfering with his position. In many occasion, Wani have repeatedly said he will not relinquish his position to Dr. Riek Machar.

Mr. Wani calls on Riek Machar to accept peace so that he returns home and take his position in the party as the First Deputy Chairman of the SPLM.

The vice president commended the group previously known as former detainees for returning home to take their places in the party.

According to the SPLM hierarchy after Dr Riek rebelled against the John Garang-led SPLM/A during the liberation struggle, James Wani Igga was the third most powerful party official after future President Salva Kiir.

However, in 2002 following a reconciliation between Dr Garang and Dr Riek in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Wani gave up his position to Dr Riek.