Sudanese Vice President Garang Dies in Helicopter Crash

FT writes : John Garang, a former rebel leader who became Sudan’s vice president last month, has been killed in a helicopter crash, raising huge concerns about a peace process that ended a 21-year civil war in Africa’s largest country.

Wall Street Journal reports more on the specifics of the accident :
Ugandan, Sudanese and Kenyan troops have been hunting for the helicopter since early Sunday, after it failed to reach its destination in southern Sudan on Saturday. The official said the aircraft was one of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's personal helicopters and likely crashed because of poor weather in the area.

Reuters reports on the Riots following the Death of Garang : Thousands of southern Sudanese, wielding knives and bars, looted shops and clashed with police in the streets of Khartoum on Monday after learning of the death of ex-rebel leader John Garang, witnesses said.

Comments:
Accusation will fly irrespective that Garang death was mainly a genuine accident. Garang was symbol of the south. His death at a crucial time will put further pressure on an already factitious SPLA. The timing of the death, will unfortunately, put further strain on the Government in the North whom already suffering from a multitude of international sanction related to Durfour. What is agreed is that it will be very difficult to find another leader from the South to fill in the huge vacuum left by Garang's death.