Garang was a leader of the black non-Muslim rebels in the South that was fighting the Arab Muslim government. If it wasn't an accident and he was rubbed out, it was the Sudanese government or factions within it itself.
Got it, thanks.
We were speculating on an earlier post that Osama's hand might be behind this. Quaida and the US have been jockeying for influence over the Sudan recently. A couple of us speculated that the death of Garang - who fought the Sudanese Arabs for decades and who they brought into government only by holding their noses - reminded us of Osama assassinating Ahmed Shah Massoud as a favor to the Taliban...just a few days before 9/11.
The interesting thing is that it happened in a Ugandan helo, presumably flying over Southern Sudan (Garang's stronghold). The Ugandans have been backing Garang ever since Museveni took over in the 90's. So its unlkely the Ugandans had a hand in this. Earlier thoughts about a Strela are more plausible.
Course its always possible the helo just had mechanical difficulties.
Anyway, Garang's "army" is a loose coalition of various Christian groups and lots of animists, all united by Garang and their hatred of the Muslim Arabs. I don't think there was a succession plan.