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Southern Sudan's Garang Killed

Ingrid from Sudan Watch has been following the news related to John Garang, head of the SPLM and Sudan’s First Vice-President. Yesterday, a BBC news report said John Garang was on his way back to Sudan from Uganda when his plane or helicopter went missing for several hours. Later on in the evening, the report was updated saying he was safe and well.

Today SPLM officials confirmed that Garang, who signed a deal this year to end Africa’s longest civil war, died in a helicopter crash in southern Sudan.

"Sudan has lost its loved son Dr. John Garang," SPLM deputy leader Salva Kiir Mayardit told a news conference in Nairobi, where SPLM members wept in grief.

Garang was seen as critical to the success of the peace process in the south and many hoped he would work to end Sudan’s conflict in Darfur. His death could deal a blow to the process and for hopes of resolving the conflict in the west. During the war Garang allowed Christian missionaries to provide relief to the people of southern Sudan while the Islamic government of the north bombed hospitals, churches and schools.

In a country that has been rocked by civil war and genocide, this is shocking news that comes just months after Sudan's peace accord and days after Garang issued an ultimatum to Joseph Kony, head of Uganda's notorious and bloody Lord's Resistance Army, to get out of Sudan.

Considering that Northern Sudan has a terrible track record full of human rights violations (e.g., Darfur) and would certainly welcome the demise of the SPLM, it is incumbent upon those overseeing the peace process to conduct a full investigation into Garang's death. Garang survived a 21-year civil war but when peace came died in an aircraft accident, reportedly because of poor whether conditions. I'm suspicious.

HT: Passion of the Present, more here.

Update: CNS News notes the potential link and subsequent speculation regarding the LRA:

Although no reports have suggested foul play in the crash, speculation will likely arise in the days ahead that a notorious Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), may have shot down the helicopter.

Operating from bases in southern Sudan -- allegedly with past support from Khartoum -- the LRA has for some 18 years been fighting to overthrow the Ugandan government. It is notorious for vicious tactics including the abduction of thousands of children forced to become soldiers or concubines for rebels.

Update: This is the false July 31st report of Garang's safe return:

GEN-LD SUDAN-GARANG
Sudan announces that Gsarang's plane landed safely in South Sudan

KHARTOUM, July 31 (KUNA) -- Plane of First vice President John Garang that lost contact with control tower has landed safely in a camp in South Sudan, the Sudanese Television said Sunday.

This came just minutes after announcement by the Sudanese government on losing contact with the helicopter that took back Garang from Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni.

There were conflicting reports on the fate of Garang and some reported bad weather. Uganda's Chief army commander said there were no contacts with the helicopter, but spojkesman for the Popular Movement Yaser Araman said that Garang arrived safely in South Sudan. (end) hha.

Update:UPI is now reporting that a senior aide to Garang is requesting an investigation.

A senior aide to Sudanese Vice President John Garang Monday called for an investigation into the latter`s death in a plane crash in southern Sudan.

Deng Alor, a senior member of Garang`s rebel movement, the Sudan People`s Liberation Army/Movement, refused to say if the plane crash was accidental or the result of a sabotage.

"We do not rule out any possibility, and that is why we are asking for an investigation," Alor told UPI in a telephone interview from southern Sudan.

President Omar al-Bashir announced earlier Monday Garang died with six aides and seven crew members while on his way back from Uganda in a Ugandan presidential helicopter. It crashed against high mountains due to poor visibility.

Bashir in a statement characterized Garang`s death as "a big and terrible loss for the nation" but said it would not disrupt the peace process.

Garang and Bashir signed a peace agreement in Kenya last January ending Africa`s longest protracted civil war.

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BurrintheBurgh

Posted by tim at August 1, 2005 12:52 AM

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