The Sudanese Canadian Community in Toronto is profoundly shocked by the sudden death of Sudan’s First Vice President and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. John Garang de Mabior.

The death of Dr. John Garang is a loss to the cause of all marginalized Sudanese everywhere. Under this circumstance we would like to convey our sincere heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Rebecca Garang, her children, to the leadership of the SPLM/A, to Southern Sudanese and all oppressed Sudanese in the West, East, Center and North. He stood up for the rights of all of them from Port Sudan to Gineina and from Nimuli to Halfa.

Dr. Garang’s death in this way and at this particular moment cannot be accepted as a normal plane crash caused by bad weather conditions. Therefore we appeal to the United Nations Security Council, the African Union, the European Union and IGAD countries to:

1. Pass a resolution authorizing an independent international investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Sudan’s Vice President Dr. John Garang de Mabior.
2. Force the Khartoum government to stop fishing in dirty water and protect the population without racial discrimination.
3. Urge the Khartoum government to arrest and trial its incompetent clerics who issue racist religious opinions.
4. Immediately authorize to international peace- keeping forces to get out from their garrisons in Juba and other parts of Southern Sudan where SPLA forces do not exist and protect the population.

We urge all Sudanese people, in particular the south Sudanese, to refrain from resorting to violence and to commit themselves to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

We also urge the new leadership of the Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement/Army to rise above the challenges and champion the cause of the marginalized areas of Sudan.

We appeal to the people of Sudan to embrace John’s Garang vision of a New Sudan based on freedom, justice and equality. Indeed we will remember Dr. John Garang not only as one of the architects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on January 9, 2005, but also as a true patriot and a true son of Sudan who loved it and loved its people without any discrimination.

Long Live the New Sudan!

SPLA Oyeeeeeeee!

The Sudanese Community of Toronto, Canada
August 2nd 2005
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephones: 416-249-9092, 416-323-1217, 647-286-1951, 416-707-0426, 416-938-5942, 416-242-9816