Questions surround Garang’s death as funeral nears

JUBA, Sudan – Southern Sudanese gathered by the thousands Friday at the Episcopal cathedral in this southern city where their leader John Garang is to be buried in a granite-and-mud-brick tomb.

With funeral preparations under way, Ugandan President Museveni told mourners that the cause of the helicopter crash that killed Garang was “not clear” and the focus of an international probe.

“Some people say accident; it may be an accident, it may be something else,” Museveni said in the Sudanese town of Yei, according to the British Broadcasting Corp.

“The (helicopter) was very well equipped; this was my (helicopter), the one I am flying all the time. I am not ruling anything out,” said Museveni, who had allowed Garang the use of the chopper.

The Sudanese government and Garang’s group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, say his death on July 30 – shortly after he joined the unity government that ended Sudan’s 22-year civil war – was an accident.

Responding to Museveni’s comments, a spokesman for Garang’s SPLM said it expected the probe to “establish what, exactly what” took place.

“It is the results of the investigation which are going to speak for themselves,” SPLM’s Yasir Arman told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

The United Nations, Kenya and Uganda are participating in the investigation. The SPLM said Friday that the helicopter’s “black box” data recorder was located but not yet evaluated.

A hundreds-strong choir rehearsed for the ceremony and Juba townswomen cooked red beans, okra and sorghum porridge to feed the multitudes expected at the state funeral today.

Garang’s body was taken by plane from town to town Thursday and Friday, allowing people to pay last respects to the man who fought for two decades to ensure their equality within Sudan.

His body was to be received this morning in Juba by President Omar al-Bashir. Other dignitaries expected to attend the funeral included Museveni, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Kenyan leader Mwai Kibaki.