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 KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - John Garang, who led southern rebels for 21 years in a war against Sudan's government, died in a helicopter crash only weeks after being sworn in as the country's No. 2 leader in a power-sharing agreement that raised hopes of a lasting peace. He was 60.
The charismatic Garang was seen as key to bringing southerners — a mixed population of Christians and animists — into a government long dominated by northern Muslims. Southerners are to be given a chance to vote on secession in six years, and President Omar el-Bashir wants to keep Sudan unified, and no doubt hoped Garang would be an ally in that campaign.
Garang, who survived multiple assassination attempts and several violent splits in his rebel movement, died during peacetime as he returned aboard a Ugandan presidential helicopter from a private trip to Uganda. Uganda had supported Garang during the war but recently pledged to repair its relationship with Khartoum.
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