Garang Buried in Juba Amid Hopes for Peace in Sudan

Dr John Garang de Mabior was yesterday given a heroic send-off in a ceremony depicting the passage of a legend.

The elaborate funeral was witnessed by tens of thousands among them four presidents including President Kibaki.

The former rebel leader, who spent the better part of his life in the bush fighting for the rights of the Southern Sudanese, was interred in a mausoleum at Parliament in the southern Sudan town of Juba.

His granite-and-mud-brick tomb is set atop a hill, which is regarded to be the highest point in Juba.

In keeping with the Dinka Bor traditions, Dr Garang was buried with a bed that he used on while he led the Sudanese People's Liberation Army in the bush.

His coffin, imported from Kenya, was draped in the SPLA flag which stood out with its bold red, green, white and black colours.

The body was driven to the burial site in a pick-up escorted by SPLA soldiers. Thousands of people were in the procession.

President Kibaki, First Lady Lucy Kibaki and former President Moi were used the same vehicle carrying VIPs from Juba Airport to All Saints' Cathedral where the funeral mass was held.

Dr Garang's widow, Rebecca, praised him as a strong and courageous man. She urged Sudanese not give up on his dream of a peaceful, unified nation.

Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir and Dr Garang's successor Salva Kiir Mayardit, both pledged to uphold that cause.

President Bashir described Dr Garang as his long time friend and a hero of peace.

Dr Garang and his Sudan People's Liberation Movement fought for 21 years to guarantee equality for southerners within Sudan.

Vowing to ensure the comprehensive peace agreement for Sudan is implemented, the President said he only fought the SPLM/A during the 21 year old war because he had not realised the group was serious.

"The agreement is not us (Dr Garang and Bashir) as individuals but for the all Sudanese. It will remain forever whether Garang or me are their or not," the President who spoke in Arabic said.

Dr Garang, he mourned, had a vision for Sudan which should be realised.

He also promised to cater for Dr Garang's six children.

A national commission of inquiry will be formed to probe Dr Garang's death, he said and urged anyone with information that could help to volunteer it.

The inquiry's report, he said, would be made public.

Earlier, Mrs Garang moved mourners in a terse speech in which she called for speedy implementation of the peace agreement.

The agreement, she warned, should not also be changed.

Mrs Garang told large crowd that her husband died a happy man because he had achieved what he wanted, but said it was up to the people to ensure peace was upheld.

"I will not miss my husband as long as you, the people of Sudan, are the watchdogs of the CPA (comprehensive peace agreement)," she told mourners.

Leaders she said come and go "but what they leave behind is very important," she said adding that the struggle for a better Sudan should continue.

She called on SPLM/A leadership to put behind any "small differences" for the benefit of their people.

Her late husband, he said, wanted the Sudanese to be united, was against corruption and wanted all to have better health care, enough food and education and also fought for democracy, freedom and religious rights.

Dr Garang and the government signed a peace agreement that ensured wealth and power-sharing and brought him to the capital, Khartoum, to be sworn in as First Vice President of Sudan July 9.

Just three weeks later, he was killed in a helicopter crash in southern Sudan and his death sparked riots that left 130 dead.

For more than 20 years, Mr Garang led the southern rebels in a civil war against the government and was seen as a symbol of hope by many in the south.

"I am very proud of this man here," Mrs Garang said, pointing at the flag-draped coffin in front of her. "Dr John wanted you to be united. If we were not united, we would not have reached here . . . If there are any small differences, please let us put these behind and let us look ahead."

Mr Salva Kiir, the new leader of the SPLM who is to be sworn in as Vice President today, called Garang "a rare breed of political thinker and freedom fighter."

He vowed that he would continue Garang's cause: "I commit myself to the CPA both in letter and spirit."

He told those doubting his leadership to give him time saying "SPLM/A is a vehicle that has no reverse gear."

He called for international support to for the country's success.

A black-clad choir sang a mournful hymn to mark the end of the service as Dr Garang's coffin was carried out by SPLA and national army soldiers to the tomb.

Dignitaries and religious leaders followed, and mourners streamed behind, some holding photos of Dr Garang and others carrying wooden crosses in front of them.

The body had earlier arrived at Juba's International airport at mid day and was received by an honour guard of eight officers, four each from his former rebel movement and the Sudanese Army.

Overhead, a United Nations helicopter patrolled the skies, and soldiers from Sudan's elite presidential guard held positions on rooftops and control towers to protect the airport, which had already seen the arrival of national and foreign dignitaries.

Presidents Kibaki of Kenya and President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan were among the leaders who received the body at the airport.

Kenya's delegation included Cabinet ministers Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Anyang' Nyong'o, and retired president Daniel arap Moi among others.

Igad chairman, who is also Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, was absent. He was, however, represented by a number of ministers and senior military officers.

The South African delegation was led by President Thabo Mbeki.

Women sobbed loudly and hugged each other in the courtyard of the All Saint's Cathedral where the multi-denominational service was held. A choir sang Oh, when the Saints Go Marching On; and other songs as guests arrived. Some children lining the path to the church held wooden crosses.

Black banners were hung throughout the city, reading: "Dr Garang, your physical body is gone, but your inspiration and vision live with us forever.

The day had been declared a national holiday so all Sudanese could follow the funeral.