In 1983; Dr John Garang and six other liberators requested a meeting with President Mengistu Haile Mariam. This message was delivered to him by the Ethiopia regional commanders in the Gambella Regions. Mengistu agreed, and the senior members of what becomes an SPLA/M were transported to the city of Nazret (Adama) 50 kilometres outside Addis Ababa. At the meeting, Dr John Garang was able to present his vision for the revolution and how he will help change the policies of Neimeri in Sudan? This interview with Mengistu will help many young South Sudanese to understand and put into context the stories told during the liberation. Here what Mengistu said about Garang’s vision for unity or separation of Sudan.
“Yes, to me (Mengistu) John Garang also is not in favour of separation, as far as I know. In the beginning, He wants to change the policy of the Numeri, the policy of Islamization or Arabization. They wanted solid and united Sudan. Both North and South. This was his idea at the beginning. But unfortunately, we didn’t get along with Numeri. We came to the separated later on."
