By Roselyn Oneka, A Political Analyst and Civil Rights Defender.
Friday 23 May 25
Dr. James Wani Igga is a respected South Sudanese statesman, liberation figure, and peacemaker whose legacy bridges both the battlefield and the halls of governance. He has long stood out not for his thirst for power, but for his unwavering commitment to principle, unity, and nationhood.
Born in Krillo village in Central Equatoria, Dr. Wani Igga joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in 1985 at the height of the second civil war. After receiving military and political training in Cuba and Ethiopia, he rose to become a senior commander and member of the SPLA/M High Command. Throughout internal conflicts and external negotiations, he played a vital role in keeping the movement unified and focused.
Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, he transitioned into public service and was appointed Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, leading legislative efforts during the transitional period. On July 9, 2011, he etched his name in history by reading the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of South Sudan.
In 2013, he was appointed Vice President by President Salva Kiir, serving with humility and steadiness until 2025. He never used his office to incite division or consolidate tribal power, and that is an increasingly rare stance in South Sudanese politics.
Integrity Over Popularity:
Many have misunderstood Dr. Wani Igga’s quiet demeanor, mistaking it for a lack of ambition. In truth, he made a conscious choice to reject the widespread political culture of nepotism and tribal favoritism. While others in his rank surrounded themselves with relatives and loyalists from their own ethnic groups, Dr. Wani Igga resisted the urge to elevate his own tribe, the Bari, or reward people from Equatoria.
Because of this, he may not be widely celebrated within his ethnic base. But that is the price of integrity; a cost he was willing to pay for the greater good of the nation.
While some leaders react to political shifts with threats, armed mobilization, or tribal incitement, Dr. Wani Igga never took that path. He never called on his people to fight. He never turned leadership into a personal dynasty. And when the time came to step aside, he did so without protest, violence, or bitterness. He put South Sudan first always.
• Bridge-Builder – Known for mediating conflict and fostering dialogue across political and tribal lines.
• Voice of Peace – Never mobilized armed resistance, even in times of personal loss or political reshuffling.
• Symbol of Humility – Respected for stepping down from the Vice Presidency in 2025 with grace, setting a rare example in leadership transitions.
• Patriotic Leader – A loyal soldier of the liberation struggle who remained committed to the unity and development of South Sudan long after independence.
Dr. James Wani Igga represents the kind of leadership every fragile nation desperately needs- no measured, selfless, and quietly patriotic. In a political culture that often rewards ambition and ethnic loyalty, his life reminds us that true power lies in service, not dominance.
“True leadership is not about holding on to power—it is about serving the people with honesty, and stepping aside when the time is right.”
The article is an independent opinion, and the views expressed herein do not represent the position of this news outlet.
