John Garang

By Haru Mutasa in Africa on January 7th, 2011
picture from AFP

 The name Garang is a big deal in southern Sudan. The late John Garang seems to be loved by so many people here. I visited is gravesite recently and there was woman praying.

It turned out her husband was one of Garang's body guards. She said she would vote on January 9 - otherwise Garang would have died in vain.

I wasn't expecting such love. It took me by surprise. I've met people who've said the man had his faults but credit him with getting the south to where it is today.

For many he is a leader - even in death - and they will never forget him.
 
So imagine how I felt when I heard I had been granted an interview with his widow Rebecca Garang. 
 
The Garang's are like royalty here - I couldn't believe it.
 
What was I supposed to say to her? Would she dismiss me as another random journalist out for a story?
 
I was running late because I was filing another story.

By Hoda Abdel-Hamid in Africa on February 1st, 2010
Photo from AFP

When John Garang signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) back in 2005, he made sure it included a referendum clause by which the people of south Sudan could decide their own fate.

They could remain part of a united Sudan or become an independent entity.

Garang told his people that it was a golden choice and they must take it seriously. The referendum is set for January 2011, and southerners are gearing up for it.

But statements of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made on Sunday have infuriated people here. In particular, his comment on Radio France Internationale that "the UN has a big responsibility ... to make unity attractive".

Protesters have been carrying banners screaming: "Down, down with the UN coward Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban Ki-moon repent before judgement."

Another said: "Why not hand over Bashir to ICC to get good leadership?"

By Mohamed Vall in Africa on January 15th, 2010
AFP photo

It is now official: Salva Kiir, Sudan's first vice-president, will run for president of south Sudan in April's elections, leaving the post of national presidency to be contested by Yassir Arman, a lower-ranking northern member of his party.

The decision means the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is both adamant about and sure of secession to result from next year's referendum on the future of Southern Sudan.

So the southern leaders don't want to remain entanged with the North one second after the referendum results are out. They will retreat to their new capital Juba in the south, create their state and leave their northern comrades (including Arman) to rule the north where he belongs.

This also means they will try to keep the north under their wing if their candidate wins the race! But he won't!

He is popular neither in the south nor in the north!

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