Sudan’s SPLM to reopen investigation on Garang crash – Machar

January 4, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan People’s Liberation Movement will reopen the investigation on the death of the former SPLM leader, further it will reconsider it decision of sacking two former ministers from the party.

The helicopter carrying Dr Garang and his group crashed in the Kidepo Valley in southern Sudan, killing all those on board, on July 30, 2005. When the helicopter crashed, there was speculation that there could have been foul play. However, the Joint Sudan-Uganda Investigation Commission on April 12, 2006 concluded that the main cause of the crash was the pilot’s insistence to apply visual flying rules in bad weather.

The First Vice-President of the government of Southern Sudan, Riek Machar told al-Ray al-Aam daily newspaper that the SPLM intends to re-investigate the circumstances of the crash of helicopter carrying then First Vice President John Garang.

Also in an interview that will be published on Saturday, Machar told the Arabic language daily that the SPLM would reconsider its decision on the removal of Telar Ring Deng, former state minister at the presidency and Aleu Ayieny Aleu former state minister for the Interior.

The First Vice President of southern Sudan government underscored that they said their removal was decided without investigation because they had refused to appear before the investigation committee.

He added that it is in the interest of the SPLM to re-open this file.

The SPLM Chairman and First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayadrit issued a decree removing Telar Deng and Aleu Aleu from their positions as well as from the membership of the Movement on December 3, 2007.

Aleu had raised the issue of Garang crash and asked to reopen the investigation. Further with Telar Deng they spoke in statement to Sudanese press about plot to overthrow Salva Kiir from the leadership of the SPLM. Both have blamed Pagan Amum for the current crisis with the National Congress Party on the implementation of the CPA.

(ST)