Garang’s widow renews its support for Salva Kiir

July 18, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The widow of Dr John Garang, the late leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, SPLM, who died in a helicopter crash in southern Sudan on 30 July 2005 has reiterated her support for Salva Kiir Mayardit as leader of the SPLM and president of the southern government.

Rebecca Garang strongly denied claims of plots within the movement to overthrow him.

She also promised to state her views regarding the results of the commission probing the accident of her husband, John Garang after meeting President Omer al-Bashir and his deputy Salva Kiir.

She issued an appeal to all Sudanese to turn up at the Green Square in Khartoum to mark the first anniversary of Garang’s death at the end of this month.

Addressing a news conference yesterday in Khartoum, she categorically denied claims there was a coup plot led by her and the SPLM secretary-general ,Pagan Amum, against Salva Kiir.

She said: “I want to stress that these rumours are absolutely false.”

Rebecca stressed her support for Salva Kiir’s leadership of the SPLM, saying she would not abandon him and the movement, come what may.

“Salva Kiir was Garang’s deputy and he became our leader. There is nothing to indicate that he has abandoned the views of the SPLM. He is implementing the decisions of the movement’s institutions. There are no alliances formed against him,” she said.

Rebecca met the Second Vice -President Ali Osman Taha. According to Rebecca , they tackled the CPA implementation.

(ST)