Demagogue

Former SPLM rebel leader John Garang was, just three weeks ago, named Sudan's vice president under the peace agreement designed to bring an end to Sudan's 20 year North/South civil war. Yesterday, he died in a helicopter crash.

Foul play is not suspected, as of yet, but that hasn't stopped people from rioting

Thousands of southern Sudanese, some wielding knives and bars, looted shops and clashed with police in the streets of Khartoum on Monday after learning of the death of ex-rebel leader John Garang, witnesses said.

One Khartoum resident said two people were killed in his street in the riots, but he did not give details. Government officials said they had no information about any deaths.

"People have been running all over the streets. The policemen are taking people from the streets. There is fire and smoke," a Reuters TV witness said.

"They are beating anybody they see who looks like they are Arab," Swayd Abdullah, a student, told Reuters.

Shops closed and there was a heightened security presence in the streets, witnesses said.