Kenya accepts request to probe death of Garang

The Kenyan government said Thursday it has accepted a request from the Sudanese government and former southern rebels to take part in an inquiry into the death of Sudan 's First Vice President John Garang.

Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said the east African nation would constitute a team of experts to join others from Uganda, the United States and Britain who would also take part in the probe.

"The Kenyan government has accepted the request to participate in an inquiry into the recent helicopter crash that led to the death of Dr. John Garang and other Sudanese and Ugandan nationals, " Mutua told a news conference in Nairobi.

Sudanese President Omar el-Beshir and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni have constituted committees to probe the death of former rebel leader.

They said the committees will investigate and establish the facts about the helicopter crash that cost Sudan's charismatic leader's life.

Garang, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army ( SPLM/A), was killed in helicopter crash last Saturday that many of his supporters say was not an accident.

The SPLM/A and the Sudanese government have said they believe the crash was an accident due to poor weather.

"We are in the process of putting together a team of experts well versed in the necessary required areas so that they can join their counterparts from other countries participating in the inquiry," Mutua told reporters.

The remains of the ex-rebel leader will be interred on Saturday in Juba, which will be the capital of the autonomous region after Sudanese troops withdraw from the town and the provisional seat of the SPLM/A administration is moved there from Rumbek.

His body will first be taken to other key towns in southern Sudan to allow supporters to pay final respects before the state funeral in Juba, the spokesman for Garang's former rebel groups announced.

His death and the ensuing clashes have prompted US President George Bush to dispatch envoys to Sudan to ensure the country's fragile peace process continues.

Garang signed a deal with the government to end 21 years of civil war in January and was sworn in as deputy leader over three weeks ago.

Tensions are still high as Sudan continues to take in what Garang's death means for the country's fragile peace.

Garang's former rebel group, the SPLM/A has chosen deputy leader Salva Kiir as his successor, who has become the first vice president of Sudan and president of the south.

Source: Xinhua