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US sends envoys to quell violence in Sudan. 02/08/2005. ABC News Online

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Last Update: Tuesday, August 2, 2005. 5:10pm (AEST)
John Garang died in a helicopter crash on the weekend

John Garang died in a helicopter crash on the weekend (Reuters)

US sends envoys to quell violence in Sudan

By Africa correspondent Zoe Daniel

The United States has sent two senior envoys to Sudan where a state of emergency has been declared after the death of the vice-president.

The two envoys have been rushed to Sudan after deadly riots that are believed to have killed at least three dozen people.

Connie Newman, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, and Roger Winter, special representative for Sudan, left for talks with officials in Khartoum and the country's south, the State Department said.

The riots were sparked by the death of vice-president and former rebel leader John Garang in a helicopter crash on the weekend.

Garang was the key person behind a recently signed peace deal to end a 21-year war in the country's south.

The United States envoys will attempt to ensure that his death does not derail the fragile peace process.

However, tension is still running high in the capital Khartoum where an after-dark curfew will be in place again tonight.



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