The World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has expressed his “support and solidarity” with the people of Sudan while urging them to continue working for the peaceful reconstruction of Southern Sudan.

The letter of 1 August to Sudan’s churches follows the death of Vice President, Dr John Garang, in a helicopter crash on Saturday just three weeks after he took up the office.

Kobia expressed his “deep sadness” at the news, as well as extending the WCC’s “sincere condolences” to the people of Sudan.

He called Dr Garang’s death “a tragedy of enormous proportions” and a “huge loss not only to the people of Sudan but to the people of Eastern Africa and the continent as a whole.”

He said: “Our confidence is that the implications of Dr Garang’s death should not adversely affect the process towards economic and social reconstruction of Southern Sudan and the need its people to remain united.

“We pray for God’s wisdom and direction so that a peaceful transition will prevail. We trust that the Southern Sudanese leadership will continue to nurture the dreams and vision of John Garang and the hope generated through the comprehensive peace agreement.”

The WCC went on to express its solidarity to the NSCC, SCC and the Sudanese churches “in their pastoral and ethical role in the implementation of the peace process and in their ministry reconciliation and healing of their land.”

The WCC has also sent its condolences to the new South Sudanese leader General Sulva Kiir Mayardit and will be represented at Dr Garang’s funeral by Dr Agnes Aboum, WCC president for Africa who is currently visiting Sudan as part of an ecumenical delegation.