Minister of International Development to attend funeral of Sudan’s First Vice President John Garang

Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson is to attend the funeral of Dr John Garang de Mabior, First Vice President of Sudan. The funeral will be held on 6 August in Juba, Southern Sudan. Representatives from a wide range of countries are expected to attend.

Dr Garang died in a helicopter accident in Southern Sudan on 30 July. He had led the Southern Sudan rebel movement, SPLM, since the start of the rebellion in 1983. He was a key player in the peace negotiations with the government in Khartoum, which culminated in the signing of the peace treaty on 9 January this year. Dr Garang was inaugurated as First Vice President of Sudan on 9 July.

“Dr Garang’s death is a great tragedy for Sudan,” says Ms F. Johnson. “The most important thing now is that the implementation of the peace agreement proceeds as planned, and that the parties co-operate in dealing with the rioting that started after Dr Garang’s death.”

Dr Garang’s deputy, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has been appointed as the new leader of the SPLM, and has been nominated as the new first vice president of Sudan. In her letter of condolence of 2 August, Ms F. Johnson has given Mr Mayardit her assurance that Norway will continue to support peace, reconciliation and development in Sudan.

“It is vital that the international community fulfils its promise of support to Sudan and its people. A great deal of assistance is still needed both for humanitarian efforts and for long-term reconstruction,” she says.

At the Donor Country Conference for Sudan in Oslo 12 April, international assistance for Sudan amounting to USD 4.5 bn was pledged for the period 2005-2007.

Press contact: Information Adviser Wera Helstrøm, ph: + 47 99409323.