JOHN GARANG: The True Story of South Sudan's Founding Father

In Summary

• South Sudan celebrated its 13th Independence anniversary on July 9, 2024. John Garang, seen as the nation's founding father, is honored for his pivotal role in achieving self-rule.
• John Garang, born in 1945 in Bor, Sudan, pursued higher education in the U.S. and actively engaged in politics, leading the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) against the northern Sudanese government.
• The 2005 Peace Agreement ended the civil war, making Garang President of Southern Sudan. After his death in 2005, Salva Kiir led South Sudan to independence in 2011 following a referendum.

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN- South Sudan marked its 13th Independence anniversary yesterday July,9th 2024 although the happenings of the 9th July 2011 are still very fresh on many South Sudanese and African minds.

On that day, the East African country officially attained self rule, seeing thousands of people visted John Garang's Mausoleum in the Central Capita Juba. To the south sudanese people, Garang is considered the nation's most crucial founding father.

The US Congress in June 2007 befittingly described Garang as a SOLDIER, SCHOLAR, STATESMAN, AND FATHER.

John Garang de Mabior was born on June 23, 1945 in the then Sudan's central town of Bor. He persued primary education in his hometwon and later enrolled for secondary education in the neighboring Tanzania.

In early 1960s, there was a civil war in the larger sudan, forcing Garang to seek education abroad. He then secured a scholarship to study a bachelor's degree in economics at Grinnel College in the United states.

Mr Garang later on completed his masters and PhD degrees in Economics at the Ioa State University.

Despite the busy schedules in school, Garang's interest in the political affairs of his country was at his heart as he kept tabs on what was happening back home.

Kickstarting his impressive political career, in 1970s, he joined the then libration movement called Anya-nya. The groud, largely made up of people the geographical south sudanese communities was fighting against the northern based Sudanese government.

Garang became a member of the regular army after a peace agreement was signed in neighboring Ethiopia in 1972.

Fighting resumed between the North and the South 10 years late [1983]. The conflict was fueled by the disputes of resources, power and the role of relation in the government and ultimatly, the South's quest fir autonomy.

Garang was deployed to quell a mutiny in the South in 1983. Some 500 soldiers had refused to be relocated to the North .

Instead of quellin the mutiny as directed, Garang encouraged other revolts and stood up against the Khartoum based government.

He thereafter formed the Sudan People's Loberation Army [SPLA] as a flagship rebel group. Though several splinter groups of the SPLA emerged in the 1990s, Garang remained the Liberation movement's foremost leader.

Sudan's second civil war ended in 2005 after rival parties signed a comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to the U.N , the 21-year civil conflict claimed about 2 million lives.

The 2005 Peace Agreement established the semi-automous region of South Sudan. On July 9,2005, Garang was named President of the Southern region as well as the first vice president in the sudanese national government.

Shortly thereafter [on July 30], he died after his helicopter crashed into a mountain in the Amatonj range in South Sudan. Garang was returning to Juba after holding talks with President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni of South neighbouring Uganda.

Salva Kiir Mayardit who had been Garang's Deputy thereafter took over as President of Southern Sudan region doubling as first vice president of the larger Sudan.

In 2011, a referendum was held on whether South Sudan should seperate from the large Sudan. Nearly 99% of South Sudanese voted in support of the secession.

On July 9th 2011, Mr Kiir became the first president of an independent South Sudan.

Eventhough South Sudan celebrates its independence, the nation still remembers Garang, a man who had and stood for a vision for his people and paved way to the freedoms they continue to enjoy.