In response to the passionate plea, Sudan’s president and new vice president both vowed to uphold that mission.
Rebecca Garang spoke out to thousands that had gathered for the funeral at Juba’s All Saint’s Cathedral that her husband died a happy man as what he wanted, he had achieved – she then said it was now up to the country’s people to ensure that the peace he worked so hard for will remain.
Emotionally, the widow called for continued peace saying, “I will not miss my husband as long as you, the people of Sudan, are the watchdogs of the CPA (comprehensive peace agreement).”
Garang fought with his Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) for 21 years to ensure that predominantly-Christian south of Sudan would gain equality with the Muslim-majority north. However, earlier this year Garang signed a peace deal with the Khartoum government, bringing hope to the war-ravaged region.
The agreement ensured wealth and power would be shared, and allowed Garang to take up a position as vice-president of Sudan, and president of southern Sudan on 9th July 2005.
However, just three weeks after this historic event, Garang tragically was killed in a helicopter clash in southern Sudan.
Immediately after the announcement of Garang’s death, more than 130 people across the country were killed over three days of serious violence and fighting. In response, the government imposed an overnight curfew, and sent out heavily-armed police and soldiers to patrol the streets for further outbreaks.
Salva Kiir Mayardit, the new leader of the SPLM who will be sworn in as first vice president on Sunday, called Garang “a rare breed of political thinker and freedom fighter. I commit myself to the CPA both in letter and spirit.”
In addition, President Omar al-Bashir pledged the same and held Kiir’s hand in the air to show their unity to echo the same pose he had taken up with Garang just one month ago after his inauguration.
Garang's coffin was carried out by SPLA and army officers following closely behind a flag of southern Sudan. Religious leaders followed, and mourners tailed the march to Garang’s tomb; many holding photos of Garang and others visibly clinging onto their wooden crosses.
In a further sign of solidarity, the Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon sent a message of condolence to the Archbishop of Sudan.
Rev Kearon said, “On behalf of the people of the Anglican Communion I extend our deepest sympathy and prayers as you mourn the death of your Vice President John Garang. The Episcopal Church in the Sudan is part of the wider Christian community that we salute as people seeking to be instruments of peace-making and care for God's people in the land.
“It is our prayer that John Garang's vision and his strategy for reconciliation and mutual respect be one that will in the end see the fulfilment of his dream for the implementation of peace in Sudan for all its people.
He concluded by saying, “We have been particularly concerned as news of civil unrest reaches us. We pray for all who have been injured or are fearful at this time and we hope that calm can be restored and work move forward to lasting peace for this great nation.”
Daniel Blake
Christian Today Correspondant