ONGs urges UN to support Uganda peace talks
August 25, 2006
Sir Emyr Jones Parry, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York
One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 885 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017
VIA EMAIL & FACSIMILE
Re: The Northern Uganda Peace Process in Juba, Southern Sudan
Dear Ambassador Parry,
We, the undersigned, are individuals and representatives of non-governmental organizationsconcerned about the war in northern Uganda. Because of the fragility of peace talks in Juba, SouthernSudan, we feel compelled to share our perspective on recent activity at the United Nations (UN) SecurityCouncil regarding northern Uganda.
We learned that the United Nations (UN) Security Council recently delayed passing a resolutioncalling for the complete disarmament and demobilization of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebelgroup that has been fighting against the Ugandan Government for twenty years. Sponsored by yourgovernment, the draft resolution reportedly called for expansion of UN forces’ mandate to disarm thegroup and sanctions against the LRA leaders. While the UN body’s concern for northern Uganda is verywelcome, Security Council members were wise to delay. Such an aggressive resolution would haveweakened the historic peace talks that began last month in Juba, Southern Sudan.
Most observers agree that the Juba peace process presents the best opportunity for peace innorthern Uganda in over a decade. Rarely have the parties shared a genuine interest in ending theconflict peacefully. And Southern Sudan, striving to implement its own 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, cannot afford the destabilizing effect of foreign rebels taking refuge in its territory. Theseconcerns enable the government of Southern Sudan to act as a credible mediator.
But the process is fragile. The talks started later than scheduled, International Criminal Court(ICC) indictments prevent the top leaders from attending talks, leading to rifts with the mediator. Despitethese setbacks, the process struggles on, with the parties discussing conditions for a ceasefire while theUgandan authorities and communities consider ways to adapt formal and traditional justice mechanismsfor reintegration and accountability of ex-combatants.
In the context of building trust and national discourses of reconciliation, passage of a UNresolution as recently drafted would have been ill-timed. Sending the message that dialogue is not worthengaging in, that the international community prefers to impose on the region the costs of a protractedmilitary solution, would have subverted the unprecedented potential of the Juba process to save lives.Statistics show that when the parties to the conflict are talking, violence decreases, a welcome outcomefor civilians in northern Uganda. The Juba process is promoting the object of the UN Charter by seekingto de-escalate violence and guarantee millions, in three countries, their most fundamental right to peaceand security. Security Council action should aim to complement that process and those goals.
The world has lamented the plight of northern Uganda for far too long to act as a mere bystanderto this opportunity, or to be diverted by ambivalence concerning the role of the ICC. Instead, what theJuba process needs most is international endorsement, with space to proceed without interference. AllowUgandans to grapple with the difficult issues, including options for justice, but acknowledge progress andbe available to assist. Ugandans will also need support for reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction.
As recently stated by the Head of the UN Development Fund for Women, “[w]e have been guiltyof a conspiracy of silence to the pleas, cries, and suffering of the people of northern Uganda.” Buteffective responses – when they do come – must respect local dynamics and priorities. It would be ashame if, when finally breaking the silence, we thwarted this chance for peace.
Respectfully,
Barney AfakoLawyer; conflict resolution consultant United Kingdom
Dr. Chris DolanDirector, Refugee Law Project (www.refugeelawproject.org) Kampala, Uganda
Sasha Lezhnevformerly of the Northern Uganda Peace Initiative, USAID Washington DC
The Rt. Rev. Benoni Y. Ogwal-AbwangRector, Episcopal Church of St. Simon the Cyrenian, Retired Bishop of Northern UgandaNew Rochelle, New York
James Otto Director, Human Rights FocusGulu, Uganda
Peter Quaranto and Michael PoffenbergerCoordinators, Uganda Conflict Action Network (www.ugandacan.org)Washington DC
Rev. Maria Isabel SantiviagoBishop’s VicarMision San Juan Bautista
Katherine SouthwickLawyer; Research Associate, Refugee Law ProjectNew York
cc: Members of the United Nations Security Council