Vice President James Wani Igga, who was first relived and later reappointed to the position on Thursday, has taken oath of office.

After the swearing in before President Salva Kiir in Juba this morning, Mr Igga urged Dr Riek Machar to return to Juba to assume his new position.

Mr Igga says this would lead to the formation of the transitional government of national unity.

“Our team is ready for the formation of the cabinet. I am sure the other parties are also ready,” Mr Igga said.

“So we need the team of the SPLM- in Opposition to also be sent to us so that even the appointment of the cabinet is done.”

In a presidential decree read on SSTV last evening, President Kiir appointed the SPLM-IO leader, Dr Riek Machar, as the First Vice President of the country in accordance with the power sharing provisions in the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan.

Mr Machar, who is not currently in South Sudan, has welcomed the move, telling the BBC he could return within three weeks if security arrangements were implemented.

“I’m eager to ensure that peace returns to the country, political stability is maintained, the permanent peace is respected – I’m confident we can do this,” he said.