Former Sudanese rebel leader and newly appointed Vice-President, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, died in a helicopter accident on July 30. Dr. Garang led the southern rebels through the SPLA/SPLM and led in a negotiated peace settlement with the predominantly Arab Muslim Sudanese government. Garang was returning from Uganda with six colleagues when the Ugandan government helicopter went down in bad weather. All aboard were killed.
Reaction to Dr. Garang's death puts the recently signed peace settlement in potential jeopardy. World leaders have called for a continuation of the peace process begun by Garang. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said, "The consolidation of the peace is the greatest honour the people of Sudan can bestow on the departed soul." Faith J. H. McDonnell, Director of the Church Alliance for a New Sudan, said, " It is our hope and prayer that, in spite of this staggering loss, the Sudanese people will go on to pursue the peace and freedom for all in Sudan for which John Garang fought." Grief-stricken supporters of Garang, however, have begun to riot in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, blaming the government for Garang's death. The riots by thousands of southern Sudanese have left at least 36 people dead with substantial damage to property. Arab gangs have begun to retaliate, invading neighbourhoods of the mostly Christian southerners. A U.N. official told the Associated Press that a Muslim imam had been killed by southerners. "The situation is turning religious and that will be even more dangerous," he said.
The deputy leader of the SPLM, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has been named as Garang's successor and is calling for a continuation of the peace process.
Pray that this tragedy will not trigger a return to the violence and warfare that has left thousands dead in the predominantly Christian and animist southern part of the country. Pray for John Garang's wife, Rebecca, and the rest of his family during this time of grief. Speaking on behalf of The Voice of the Martyrs, Communications Director Glenn Penner said, "We are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. John Garang and wish to express our condolences to his wife and family. In my dealings with Dr. Garang, I found him to be a man committed to peace and religious liberty and we hope that his example will provide a model to the people of south Sudan at this time of grief and loss."
For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Sudan, click here.
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