Sudanese President Bashir Vows to End Lord’s Resistance Army

By Frank Nyakairu

The Monitor (Kampala)

Kampala — Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir has rebutted claims that his government supplies weapons to rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Bashir was yesterday receiving Uganda’s new Ugandan Ambassador to Sudan, Mr Mull Katende.

Katende presented his credentials in Khartoum yesterday.

“President El-Bashir assured Ambassador Katende that Sudan would not give support to Kony [LRA leader] and would co-operate with Uganda to bring an end to the LRA and its activities,” a statement from the Ugandan embassy in Khartoum said.

The denial comes just days after Uganda claimed it had information that the Sudan is secretly re-arming the LRA.

The Sudanese government had come out earlier and said some of its generals were supporting the LRA.

The Ugandan government received Bashir’s denial with less enthusiasm.

Minister of State for Defence Ruth Nankabirwa wondered whether the Sudanese generals “arm Kony behind Gen. Bashir’s back”.

“It’s totally up to them. We are not going to pressurise them [Sudan government] to take action against their generals?,” Ms Nankabirwa added.

With a new ambassador in Khartoum, Uganda appears determined to remain friends with Sudan.

Uganda recently expelled two Sudanese liaison officers. The Sudanese were here to monitor the activities of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels, while their Ugandan counterparts were tracking the LRA in southern Sudan.

Uganda also recalled its own officers from Sudan.

Uganda broke off diplomatic ties with Sudan in 1995 after accusing Khartoum of supporting the LRA.

Sudan also accuses Uganda of supporting the SPLA. Diplomatic relations were restored after Sudan allowed Ugandan troops to enter its southern part to rout the LRA.

The UPDF has been fighting the LRA since 1988. Thousands have been displaced, maimed or killed in the conflict.