# Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior

Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, born on (15 July 1956) in Bor Town, South Sudan, hails from the Dinka tribe of Twic East County. In 1986, she traveled to Cuba for military training. A prominent South Sudanese politician, she currently serves as the 4th Vice President of South Sudan and is the head of the Gender and Youth Cluster. Rebecca previously held the position of Minister of Roads and Transport in the autonomous government of Southern Sudan and served as an advisor to the President of South Sudan on gender and human rights from 2007 to 2014. She is the widow of John Garang, the late first Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of South Sudan, and the mother of Akuol de Mabior.

## Quotes

* "This message is for our President Salva Kiir: We must support our veterans while they are still alive, so they can care for their families."
* "Let us support our veterans and their children while they are still alive. Many veterans are left without any means of support; they are like walking corpses. We need to find ways to help them."
* "We hope the spirit of Bior Ajang will restore the peace we have lost. A pastor prayed for Bior Ajang's spirit to be with the angels, and I add that we also seek the presence of Dr. John Garang's spirit to help redeem our country."
* "My condolences to all those who lost their lives in Kajo Keji, including both the cattle herders and the residents of the area."
* "My heart is heavy, and I truly believe that if it weren't for this country, Dr. John would not have died. He gave his life for you. But seeing how his people are suffering and dying now, it feels as though his sacrifice was in vain. It's time to change our hearts."
* "I ask you to pray for the political will so that we, as leaders, can accept one another. If we do, we won't work as separate parties but as one government, serving one people."
* "Let us put an end to divisions and the bitterness in our hearts. We are one people, created by God in His own image."
* "My dear compatriots, life in Juba and Southern Sudan is beginning to take shape. Juba is no longer the town you once knew. It was once a lifeless place, filled with trauma and loss, where people were killed and it felt like a graveyard. But now, Juba is slowly transforming and taking shape."
* The Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan have been established, along with two separate assemblies: the Assembly of the North and the Assembly of Southern Sudan.
* The oil revenue sharing is not proceeding as anticipated. However, "The CPA is my new husband."
* At the funeral, I told the people, "If you kill a lion, you will see what the lioness can do." I am not afraid of anything, not even death, because I have nothing left but my people. I am committed to protecting the CPA and ensuring that the people of Southern Sudan experience the freedom and dignity they have long yearned for.
* "We'll graduate them with sticks and send them straight to the community; they won't be going to the barracks. What truly controls a soldier is their weapon."
* "I'm not here to deny what's been happening in the country, nor to defend what's going on."
* "Yes, we’ve faced some challenges, and given the difficulties we’re experiencing, our people have high expectations from the government."
* "What has happened over the years can't be undone overnight. It’s a process, and we’re asking our people to be patient with us."
* "If you go to Juba now, the economic indicators are showing progress. The IMF has supported us, and we've managed to stabilize the exchange rate," she said, adding that through IMF loans, her government has been able to control South Sudan's rising inflation and provide back pay to civil servants.
* The South Sudan National Revenue Authority has digitized its revenue collection system and removed illegal "taxation" roadblocks.
* "We are committed to ensuring that women's representation is achieved. Yes, there are challenges— for instance, in the executive, the representation stands at 26%, when it should be 35%. However, the situation in parliament is much better than in the executive."
* "At least this percentage in the presidency is acceptable because it's a position we weren't reaching before. And as you know, women are reasonable people. Despite the traditions and cultural norms that once oppressed women in the country, we are now in a much better place."
* "Meeting the 35% women's representation target remains a challenge. I acknowledge these issues, but the most important thing for us right now is ensuring the safety of our children."
* "As a government, we must ensure the implementation of this agreement—there is nothing more important, as I said before. The world is tired of us, and even our own people are losing patience. But they must remain patient and give us another opportunity to fulfill this agreement. There is no shortcut to freedom. If they want freedom and security in their own country, we must continue on this challenging journey."
** South Sudan Vice President Calls for End to UN Arms Embargo 24 September 2021

## External Links

Biography