RUMBEK, Sudan, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- John Garang, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, returned Saturday to a hero's welcome to the southern capital Rumbek.
It was the first time the former rebel leader, who led SPLM during the 21-year civil war, has been to the remote town, since the peace deal gave the South Sudan more autonomy in running its affairs, the BBC reported.
As part of the peace deal, Garang was named national vice president of Sudan.
He said his priority will be the voluntary repatriation of refugees and the provision of basic humanitarian needs.
The new government of southern Sudan is supposed to get a share in oil revenue, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, equal to the mainly Arab government in the north.
Rumbek has no paved roads and little running water or electricity.
