Kenyan Churches appeal for calm after death of Sudanese vice president

An appeal has been made to all Sudanese to remain peaceful and vigilant and "to uphold their commitment to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement", at this time when they are mourning the death of their First Vice President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr John Garang De Mabior. In a statement to CISA, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) asked the Sudanese People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) to "rise to the challenge and to remain firm in the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for the unity of the people of Sudan." "Times like this can cast a huge shadow upon a people who have just engaged on a new political journey. We have no doubt that the task to reconstruct the nation and maintenance of peace and human dignity are paramount," said NCCK General Secretary Rev Mutava Musyimi. Dr Garang, a leading architect of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Nairobi on January 9, 2005, died in a plane crash alongside thirteen other Sudanese as well as some Ugandan nationals. NCCK conveyed their heartfelt condolences to Garang's widow Madame Rebecca Garang and families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Source: CISA