Remembering a Sudanese Hero: Dr. John Garang
The late Dr. John Garang is probably the greatest Sudanese politician in history. A Christian and a southern Sudanese from the Dinka tribe, Garang had a different view of what the problems of Sudan really were, and a clear vision/solution to these problems.
His death under suspicious circumstances two years ago today (30 July) has deprived Sudan of a visionary leader. Sudan might have also lost its last chance to remain united as envisioned by the man himself.
The New Sudan Concept
Independence saw the handing over of power onto the hands of a single group: Arabised Sudanese of the Muslim faith. For decades, this ruling class not only controlled and monopolised all government institutions, but also systematically and vigorously pursued a series of sinister policies that marginalised and oppressed Sudanese in the north, east, south and west of the country. In the process, the ruling clique tried to create a Sudan defined only in terms of the perceived Arab Islamic identity. Everything else that did not fit this criteria was targeted for eradication.
The realities of the Sudan are far more complex than the projected image of an exclusively Arab Islamic Country. Garang understood that the Sudan was a time bomb waiting to explode and break into several pieces if nothing is done about the malpractices of the ruling few. For the Sudan to be rescued, he draw up a vision – the Concept of New Sudan - rooted on the simple notion that human beings, in any given society, have equal rights and obligations regardless of race, beliefs, colour, etc. Thus, a Sudanese is a Sudanese is a Sudanese, period!
Garang Misunderstood and Misinterpreted..
Southerners and northerners alike often misunderstand and misinterpret Garang’s vision of the New Sudan. I have negotiated with myself and come to the conclusion that Garang really had the unity of Sudan in mind and the love of all other marginalised Sudanese in heart when he struggled to achieve his dream Sudan. He had differences with other southern Sudanese (Riak, Lam Akol, Bona Malwal) because he stood firm on the issue of unity and refusing to fight the war as a south vs north, Christian vs Muslim or African vs Arab war. Even the people Garang fought for did not really understand the man. If other marginalised Sudanese especially from places like Darfur, Eastern Sudan and far up north would have joined the fight for a Sudan founded on equal basis, we could just be living that dream of the greatest country in Africa. But I believe some of the oppressed groups have themselves been affected by the disease of the ruling class! One rebel group in Darfur manifests to fight for a united Islamic Sudan!? Sometimes one wonders what can undo this curse that has befallen Sudan…
Some Sudanese today still believe that the head of state must be a Muslim. That’s sad isn’t it?.. Worst still, these Sudanese are not totally sincere with themselves, because as is the case in Sudan, not all Sudanese Muslims can be head of state. The Nuba for example are almost entirely Islamised and to some extend Arabised. But a black African head of state will not fall well in the picture the ruling class of Sudan have been trying to project to the world about Sudan: ie- the exclusively Arab Islamic Sudan.
Now, even if Garang so much wished or wanted that Sudan stay united, unity can not be enforced just like the Sudanese realities can not be denied. Garang did what he could to get the best for every Sudanese, but other politicians lack the patience, wisdom and vision of Garang. Instead of rising the bar and demanding for an overall change of the system, some of us would rather opt to go for only a small piece out of the whole. …That was why Sadig El Mahdi tried to diminish the Sudanese problem by always referring to the war as the war in the South, or the Southern Problem.
So, Sudan or the South for that matter will separate. The Sudan as we know it today will cease to exist. Without the southerners, the other marginalised Northerners (don’t know if they will still be called Sudanese) will have to regroup and agree on how they want that place to be ruled and view in the global and political atlas. Lemme go for now…Rest in peace comrade!
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[...] Returnee was one of those who blogged a post in honor of Dr. John Garang: The late Dr. John Garang is probably the greatest Sudanese politician in history. A Christian and a [...]
Whoever wrote this article, the way you presented the late Dr.John Garang and his New Sudan vission is really admirable. I agree with your presented analysis of Garang’s vision for the Sudan.I also agree with the best option available to the Southern Sudanese at the present: separation. However, I am still thinking of how Sudan can be harmonously united any other time in futurity.
My dear readers
In Sudan we know,who is Martin Luther King in the
histories of blackness in Sudan is known as Dr John Garang and who is going to be Barcak H.Obama if our president Omar Elbarsh was so happy seeing Obama Africa America(black America man)in whitehouse as president U.S.A.Omar I saw you in youtube standing shutting allaha hakebar God is great are you sure God is great for real by seeing black man in the office of president,why are you a black man to support Obama or you don’t want to to jail,why are you try to show your love to black America and not black S.Sudan or Defur that’s mean to what you are trying is doing fack love
Dr. John Garang de Mabior will be in the history book for generation to come but his death remained a mystery to all Sudanese. Many may not know his death wasn’t an accident; it was intentionally planted by his known foe.
Ten years from now you see and hear whistleblowers making it clear that Garang helicopter crash was not in any way an accident.
The surviving Southern leaders should be careful because John Garang enemy are not that far behind them.
Their vulnerability is high compare to any other leaders in the world.
i definitely agree with the writer of this piece about a true African hero Dr.Johnny Garang im truely proud that that man followed his vision for sudan even when it took war to see its fruition and accepted peace when it was needful all to achieving his vision for sudan. most african leaders are purely myopic basing their visions on either religion or ethnicity or even materialistic gains but all those ideals must change.its strange that the Arab league support the sudanese government in their ridiculous maquerading under the guise of either islam or Arabism to murder Africans(i would have used the word fellow Africans but i realized the Sudanese government are not Africans but Arabs)but later they cry wolf against america in its support for isreal,its indeed very sad. i hope the south seperate and serve as a model for the rest of sudan and also for the rest of africa and also they should also be careful because those vampires from the sudanese government house who planned the death of our black hero (obviously ) would definately have plans to kill his dream too. they should remain alert like the saying of a former us head of state, the prize for liberty is eternal vigillance.
on a final note the black man is great its been proven in America by their new head of state president Obama, and there is nothing any Arab can do about it Africa is home for the black man.
Dinka LANGUGAGE+ Hen aci puou mit apei wet Dr John Garang Rin yen e bany ,ku welke aayieth eben ku men ci yen liu yen aci wet nyang opouth pinynhom eben,Kene yen e wet lueel.Ku thon bany yen areer koc juac cin.Cimen Ali Osaman Tha ku koc col,ku kene aci bi kang waac tene koc loi yen.Dr Garang yen awar Martin Luther King.Rin kuat ke ci loi ku ke ci lueel ajuec apei.Kuwetdie hen anhiar bi Thudan matic ku ci puok ,kene yen wetdie akan Raan jam peter Garang Deng Thiel -ALONG AUSTRALIA
Since, Dr. Garang is an african Hero, I coment that His History should be Shown in Video form . so that the vision is seen live by the coming generation. thanks