President Mbeki sends condolences to South Sudan after tragic crash

South African President Thabo Mbeki (R), stands with Vice President of Sudan and President of the Southern Sudan Salva, Kiir Mayardit 28 November 2006 in Pretoria at the Union Buildings where the pair held political and economic talks. AFP PHOTO / JACOLINE PRINSLOO / Hand out (Photo credit should read Jacoline Prinsloo/AFP/Getty Images)

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Courtesy of AFP

May 6, 2008 (Pretoria, South Africa NSV )– South African president Thabo Mbeki sent his condolences to South Sudan president Salva Kiir and South Sudanese on Monday following the crash that killed minister of SPLA Affairs Dominic Dim Deng and advisor for South Sudan president and veteran politician Justic Yaac Arop.

"Please accept Your Excellency, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa and indeed on my own behalf, our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of South Sudan following the weekend plane crash in which 21 people [and three crew members] including the Minister of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army Affairs lost their lives,” Mbeki said.

South Africa played a great role in the negotiation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. Mbeki’s government has since been a key friend and ally of South Sudan. "Accordingly, the government and people of South Africa join in thought and prayer with the government and people of South Sudan and in particular those families who lost their loved ones," South African president said, saying South Africa will continue to help Southern Sudan.