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Rebecca Nyandeng
Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior February 10, 2006.jpg
Nyandeng in 2006
Fourth Vice President of South Sudan
Assumed office
21 February 2020
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Preceded by Position established
Advisor for the President of South Sudan
In office
2011–2013
Minister of Roads and Transport of Southern Sudan
In office
2005–2007
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by Office abolished
First Lady of Southern Sudan
In office
9 July 2005 – 30 July 2005
President John Garang
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by
  • Mary Ayen Mayardit
  • Aluel William Nyuon Bany
Second Lady of Sudan
In office
9 January 2005 – 30 July 2005
Vice President John Garang
Succeeded by
  • Mary Ayen Mayardit
  • Aluel William Nyuon Bany
Personal details
Born (1956-07-15) 15 July 1956 (age 69)
Bor, Republic of Sudan
Nationality South Sudanese
Spouse John Garang
Children 6, including Mabior Garang De-Mabior and Akuol de Mabior

Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior was born on July 15, 1956. She is an important politician from South Sudan. Currently, she serves as one of the vice presidents of the country. She also leads a group focused on gender and youth issues.

Before becoming Vice President, she was the Minister of Roads and Transport for the government of Southern Sudan. From 2007 to 2014, she advised the President of South Sudan on gender and human rights. Rebecca Nyandeng is the widow of John Garang. He was the first Vice President of Sudan and the first President of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region. She is also the mother of Akuol de Mabior.

Early Life and Background

Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior is from the Dinka tribe. She was born in Bor, which is in Twic East County of South Sudan. In 1986, she traveled to Cuba for military training.

Her Role in South Sudan's Government

After her husband, John Garang, passed away, General Salva Kiir Mayardit took over his roles. General Kiir became the first Vice President of Sudan and later the President of South Sudan. President Kiir then appointed Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior as the Minister of Roads and Transport for South Sudan.

Working for Peace and Independence

Rebecca Nyandeng strongly supported the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This agreement was signed by John Garang before his death in 2005. She worked hard to make sure the peace process continued. Her efforts helped South Sudan gain its independence on July 9, 2011.

In 2005, she visited the United States. There, she met with President George W. Bush. She thanked the American government for helping South Sudan find peace. Later, President Obama and Secretary Clinton also continued to support the peace agreement in Sudan.

Sharing Her Vision

Rebecca Nyandeng was interviewed by NPR. She talked about her dedication to freeing South Sudan. She also spoke about the idea of a united Sudan under a democratic government. This idea was part of the "New Sudan Vision" created by John Garang in 1983.

She visited Grinnell College and Iowa State University in Iowa. These are the universities where her late husband studied before the Second Sudanese Civil War began in 1983.

Recent Contributions

In 2013, she met with President Salva Kiir to discuss security. This meeting happened during a political crisis in South Sudan.

In 2024, Rebecca Nyandeng spoke about the government's challenges. She noted that the government had not provided enough services to its people. She also mentioned the need to support veterans who fought for the country's freedom.

"This one is going to our President Salva Kiir. We should support our veterans when they are still alive so that they can take care of their families"

—VP Nyandeng

She also expressed doubts about many leaders, including herself, being re-elected. This was because they had not met the people's hopes. Nyandeng also asked for help from those who had died for the country to bring peace back.

Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Its Impact

Rebecca Nyandeng has expressed concerns about how the government in Khartoum, Sudan, has carried out the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. During the years of war, she joined the southern army. This army is now known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

She is known for supporting South Sudan's right to decide its own future. However, she also believes in a united Sudan if it is democratic and fair. Millions of people in Southern Sudan were affected by the long war between the North and South Sudan. This conflict began after the British left Sudan in 1956. The war led to over 2 million deaths in South Sudan. Also, four million South Sudanese became displaced within their own country or lived as refugees in other nations. After peace arrived in South Sudan, the United Nations helped many people return home.

Documentary Film

In 2022, Rebecca Nyandeng's daughter, Akuol, created a documentary. The film is called No Simple Way Home. It tells the story of her family and their efforts to build a better South Sudan.

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