Will the death of Garang be an excuse?
By Dennis E. Paul
August 4, 2005 — Will the death of a martyr be an excuse to destroy the meager advancements of the Peace Process? Would Garang condone murder, riots and destruction?
He would have asked: To what Avail? I think he would have asked: Are riots going to reduce marginalization? Will Riots and murder benefit those struggling for survival in Darfur, in Southern Sudan, in Eastern Sudan?
Or will lawlessness reverse the sensitive process that so many have worked for?
There will always be those that say that the government is responsible for the death of a martyr. Others will claim innocence.
And unfortunately there will be those who feel happiness over the death of a martyr — there will always be foes who find contentment in the death of Dr. John Garang De Mabior.
Yet to what avail will riots and killing and increased ethnic hate serve Sudan?
Garang would have asked Sudanese to not to use his death to drop the armor of perseverance and determination. He would have asked Sudanese not to create suffering in his name.
Will the Death of a martyr be and excuse?
Now Salva Kiir has been given the heavy cloak of responsibility; a cloak
weighted with progress and demand; with goals and aspirations.
Now, in the name of Dr. John Garang, Salva Kiir has the responsibility to unite and bestow upon Sudan an environment of health, of peace and of prosperity. Perhaps Sudan and Southern Sudan can confer upon Salva Kiir the ability and the capacity to repair Sudan’s vitality. Perhaps with the blessing and help of Sudanese, he can cultivate an environment of self-determination.
Just as Southern rebels huddled together in a remote wilderness outpost working to salvage the historical peace agreement, so to can Sudanese “huddle together” in spirit and purpose to overcome the sensitive and distressing difference between SSDF, SLM, SPLA, NDA and the National Congress so that Sudan will see teachers with books and children without
hunger.
Perhaps with dedication and compassion, Sudan’s children will see the elimination of starvation and the atrocious crimes of war.
Perhaps, with support and respect bestowed upon Salva Kiir Mayardit by Sudanese, he can pursue the objectives of Dr. John Garang De Mabior. Perhaps with courage and respect conferred upon Salva Kiir Mayardit, he will work to rid Sudan of the malicious elements that have visited Sudan.
Will the death of a martyr be an excuse?
Sudan with its troubling but surmountable crises: Gangs and thugs and cattle rustlers and rape and starvation. Sudan with its discontent in Eastern Sudan. And Darfur which exemplifies the worst of governments’ apathy and disregard.
Garang has done much. But there is much left do.
The pain of the loss — the indescribable pain of the loss penetrates and persists.
But John Garang De Mabior would ask Sudanese not to entice the government, through lawlessness and riot, to revert to suppressive emergency decrees in which detainees are held without charge or trial
John Garang would ask Sudanese not to use his name as an excuse to forfeit progress.
John Garang would ask us not to burn his name in anarchy with fire, but etch his name in history with compassion and diplomacy.
* Dennis E. Paul – Des Moines, Iowa USA