John Garang
Dr. John Garang | |
|---|---|
| President of Southern Sudan Autonomous Region | |
| In office July 9, 2005 – July 30, 2005 | |
| Vice President | Salva Kiir Mayardit |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Salva Kiir Mayardit |
| First Vice President of Sudan | |
| In office January 9, 2005 – July 30, 2005 | |
| President | Omar al-Bashir |
| Preceded by | Ali Osman Taha |
| Succeeded by | Salva Kiir Mayardit |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Garang de Mabior June 23, 1945 Wangulei, Twic East, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan |
| Died | July 30, 2005 (aged 60) New Cush, Southern Sudan, Republic of Sudan |
| Nationality | South Sudanese |
| Political party | Sudan People's Liberation Movement |
| Spouse | Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior |
| Children | 6, including Mabior Garang De-Mabior and Akuol de Mabior |
| Alma mater | Grinnell College (B.A.) Iowa State University (PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Anyanya (1969–1972) Democratic Republic of Sudan (1972–1983) SPLA (1983–2005) |
| Years of service | 1969–2005 |
| Battles/wars | First Sudanese Civil War Second Sudanese Civil War |
John Garang De Mabior (June 23, 1945 – July 30, 2005) was a Sudanese politician and revolutionary leader. From 1983 to 2005, he led the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M, Now known as South Sudan People's Defense Forces) as a commander in chief during the Second Sudanese Civil War. He served as First Vice President of Sudan for three weeks, from the comprehensive peace agreement of 2005 until his death in a helicopter crash on July 30, 2005.
A developmental economist by profession, Garang was one of the major influences on the movement that led to the foundation of South Sudan’s independence from the rule of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.