As the United Nations mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported ongoing violence in
and around the capital, Khartoum, after the death of Vice-President and
ex-southern rebel leader John Garang, the Security Council on 2 August
called for calm and urged the world to rally around the Sudanese people to
help them shore up the country's fledgling peace process.
"The Security Council stresses that Dr. Garang's death should not deter the
Sudanese peoples' struggle for justice and dignity and encourages all the
people of Sudan to refrain from violence and to maintain peace in the midst
of mourning," said Ambassador Kenzo Oshima of Japan, which holds the
rotating Presidency of the 15-nation body for August. "This is a time for
the world community to come together to support Dr. Garang's vision of a
united and peaceful Sudan," he said, reading out a statement in an open
meeting after a briefing on the current situation in Sudan. "The Council
calls on all Sudanese to honour his memory by restoring peace and calm
throughout Sudan," he added.