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4 August 2005: Programme Number 59

SUDAN AFTER GARANG: CAN THE PEACE HOLD?

Sudan's comprehensive peace agreement is thrown into some crisis after the sudden death of one of its key architects, Dr John Garang, in a helicopter crash. His death has sparked violence mainly in Khartoum with more than 130 people killed.

John Garang, during his last address to the UN Security Council in New York in February :"We believe that this is the best way to achieve justice and equality for all Sudanese irrespective of whether they are Arab or African origin, whether they're Muslims or Christians, … and if we work in partnership as Sudanese."

We hear from UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, "Here is a man who had lived and fought for peace and one united Sudan. And just as he was on the verge of achieving what he has lived and fought for, he is taken away from us. But what is important is that the Sudanese continue with the process of reconciliation and the process of peace.”

And we speak to UN Director for Political Affairs, Haile Menkerios, to examine the wider implications of Dr Garang's death on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January to end more than 20 years of war between the south and north of Sudan.

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