John Garang de Mabior was a prominent Sudanese politician and revolutionary leader, who left an indelible mark on the history of South Sudan. Leading the Sudan People’s Liberation Army from 1983 to 2005, he steered the nation through the aftermath of the Second Sudanese Civil War. He briefly served as Sudan’s First Vice President for a mere three weeks before his tragic death in a helicopter crash on July 30, 2005.
Belonged to the Dinka ethnic group, Garang faced hardship as an orphan by the age of ten. Through the support of a relative, he was able to go to school. In 1962, at a young age, Garang joined the first Sudanese civil war. Recognizing the importance of education, leaders encouraged him and his peers to pursue learning amidst the ongoing conflict.
In 1983, Garang supported southern government soldiers resisting relocation to the north. While not orchestrating their defection, he backed the revolution. Garang joined Battalion 105 in their attack on the Sudanese army in Bor, taking an alternate route to Ethiopia. This marked the beginning of the Second Sudanese Civil War, opposing military rule and also Islamic dominance.
He envisioned a government representing all tribes and religions in Sudan. In July 1985, he led the SPLA in a crucial incursion into Kordofan, advancing this goal. With support from Libya, Uganda, and also Ethiopia, Garang’s forces controlled significant parts of southern Sudan, establishing “New Sudan.”
Banknotes Featuring John Garang
Hailed as the founding father and a symbol of unity in present-day South Sudan, John Garang as well as a Dinka warrior spear are shown on the obverse of South Sudan pound banknotes. These banknotes come in various denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500. The reverse side of these banknotes showcases an array of wildlife and natural features, including an ostrich, kudu, the majestic River Nile, giraffes, sanga cattle, buffalo, oryx antelope, elephants, a lion, and as well as a breathtaking waterfall.
In February 2021, in response to rising inflation and economic challenges, the bank issued a new SSP 1,000 banknote featuring Garang’s image on the obverse and also two ostriches on the reverse. His image is also on these banknotes watermark.
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