Ugandan rebels want an independent inquiry on the collapse of peace talks

April 13, 2008 (RI-KWANGBA, Sudan) — The Ugandan rebel group LRA said it wants an independent inquiry to explain the collapse of the southern Sudan sponsored peace talks to end the two decade conflict in northern Uganda.

“The LRA demand facts to establish why the donor supported peace talks collapsed given the fact it was committed to ending the war through mediated negotiation.” Said a press statement released today.

Kony said that Ugandans generally and affected area particularly deserve to know the truth. He further added he established a consultative panel to probe on the failure.

He called upon the peace talks mediator Riel Machar to conduct an inquiry “establish the reason beyond doubts as to why and what lead to breakdown of peace negotiations.” Also he exhorted Britain and the United states to support this investigation.

Kony, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, had been due to sign the deal on Thursday April 10. But he first rejected to sign the final text of the agreement and then fired his chief negotiator.

The LRA leader motivated his rejection by the lack of “credible environment of dialogue”, the “unneutral” Machar, and his cooperation with the Ugandan government were cited as the first cause for the suspension of the talks.

He also slammed the “selective justice” of the ICC which “wants to prosecute the LRA while excusing the Ugandan government.”

Uganda’s 22-year civil war has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted 2 million more and destabilised neighbouring parts of oil-rich south Sudan and mineral-rich eastern Congo.

(ST)