Sudan’s first vice president, John Garang, has been killed in a helicopter crash

The Norwegian authorities have been informed of the death of John Garang de Mabior, the first vice president of Sudan and the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), in a helicopter crash on the Ugandan-Sudanese border. It is reported that Dr Garang was travelling by helicopter from the Ugandan capital Kampala to New Site in South Sudan. The weather conditions were very bad in the area at the time of the accident. There are no indications that the accident was due to any other cause.

“I was deeply grieved to learn of Dr Garang’s death,” said Hilde F. Johnson, the Minister of International Development. “This is a great shock for me and for all who have been working for many years to create peace in Sudan.”

“Dr Garang was a great politician with great personal warmth, who had worked for justice and peace throughout his adult life. The recent peace agreement for Sudan would never have been possible without his tireless efforts. He will be greatly missed both by his own people and by all those who worked closely with him in the peace efforts. His vision was a united, peaceful and just Sudan; all the parties in Sudan and the international community must continue their efforts to realise this vision. Norway will work intensively to ensure that the positive development in Sudan maintains its current strong momentum, so that peace can be established in all parts of the country,” said Ms F. Johnson.

The peace agreement between the SPLM and the government in Khartoum was signed on 9 January this year, and Dr Garang was appointed as first vice president on July 9 at a large international ceremony in Khartoum.