Taban Deng Gai

Like newly demoted former First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai Jok stayed on Salva's side when war restarted in 2016...

The new government is based on a six-strong collegiate presidency with Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon replacing fellow Nuer Taban Deng Gai as first vice-president and Taban becoming one of four (junior) vice-presidents along with existing Vice-President James Wani Igga Rebecca Nyandeng Garang and former South Sudan Opposition Alliance spokesman Hussein Abdelbagi Akol controversially selected by Salva from five competing SSOA candidates...

In January it imposed sanctions against First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai (due to be replaced by Machar in the unity government) for human rights abuses and blocking the peace process while the previous month it sanctioned Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk and Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro for similar reasons...

This would send South Sudan back to the 2016 scenario when Salva appointed Taban Deng Gai once Riek's chief negotiator in Riek's place after the first 2015 peace deal collapsed (AC Vol 57 No 16 Riek rival boosts Salva)...

In addition to Salva and Riek current Vice-Presidents Taban Deng Gai and James Wani Igga received invitations as did Rebecca Nyandeng John Garang's widow who is expected to fill the vice presidential slot allowed to the 'Former Detainees' Group (AC Vol 59 No 6 Salva stalls the peacemakers and 59 No 19 No cash no peace)...

There is still widespread international concern about the failure to end fighting around Yei and between supporters of chief rebel leader Riek Machar and loyalists of the current First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai in the main opposition heartland of central Unity State (AC Vol 58 No 22 No let-up in southern fighting)...

These are the incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (basically the SPLA-in Government faction along with the former SPLA-in Opposition faction of Taban Deng Gai); the mainstream SPLA-In Opposition faction of Riek Machar the nine-member South Sudan Opposition Alliance; the grouping of Other Opposition Parties; and the SPLM-former detainees...

Despite all evidence to the contrary Salva maintains that his decision to replace Machar with Machar's former deputy Taban Deng Gai was enough to end the conflict (AC Vol 57 No 17 Pax Salvatica)...

Not least among the consequences of this was the casting of a pall over the decision by the then US Secretary of State John Kerry to recognise Taban Deng Gai's July 2016 coup against his boss Riek (AC Vol 57 No 17 Pax Salvatica)...

If IGAD's proposal stands Salva would lose at least one of his two deputies: first Vice-President Taban Deng Gai or second Vice-President James Wani Igga...

Taban Deng Gai a Nuer is Riek's former chief negotiator who schemed with Juba to take over Riek's job after the army drove Riek out of the country in 2016...