Sudan’s SPLM says Garang death won’t hurt peace deal

NAIROBI, Aug 1 (AFP) — The ex-rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) said Monday the weekend death of its leader John Garang in a helicopter crash would not affect its commitment to a landmark January peace deal with Khartoum.

In a statement read to reporters at SPLM/A headquarters in the Kenyan capital following confirmation of Garang’s death in the Saturday crash, the group also urged all Sudanese to remain calm and said its leaders would be meeting in an emergency session to plot strategy.

“I take this opportuniy to assure the southern Sudanese in particular and the Sudanese people in general, that we in the SPLM/A leadership will continue the vision and the objective of the movement that Dr John Garang has articulated and hoped to implement,” the group’s deputy commander Salva Kiiri.

“We also want to assure everyone that the leadership and cadres of the SPLM/A will remain united and strive to faithfully implement the comprehensive peace agreement,” he said.