Sudan Supports Uganda Rebels Amid Peace Talks – Observer

NAIROBI, Feb 2, 2005 (AP) – Ongoing talks between Uganda’s government and rebels in northern Uganda are the most serious effort yet at ending the 19-year insurgency, but Sudan continues to provide support for the rebels, an observer said Wednesday.

John Prendergast, Special Adviser to the President of the International Crisis Group (ICG)

International Crisis Group analyst John Prendergast, one of few outsiders to observe talks intended to end the conflict, said Sudan ‘s support should wane after the Sudanese government and the main southern Sudanese rebel group signed a peace deal last month.

Sudan has supported the Ugandan rebels in retaliation for Uganda’s support of southern Sudanese insurgents, but Prendergast didn’t specify what form that support has taken recently.

Under last month’s peace deal, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement will take charge of the area where the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army is based, said Prendergast, who spent 17 days in northern Uganda between Jan. 3 and Jan. 20.

“The (Lord’s Resistance Army) is on the ropes due to increased (Ugandan army) effectiveness, a reduction of Sudanese government support, and increasing weariness on the part of its rank and file,” Prendergast said. “The government sees that a quick negotiated solution is preferable to a protracted military one that will be very costly.”

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s government began talks with the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in November based on a conditional cease-fire.

There have been rebel and army attacks, however, outside the designated villages, killing dozens.

“You don’t often hear of attacks, ambushes and abductions…. I think that the peace process is having some influence on reducing violence,” said Rev. Carlos Rodriquez of the Roman Catholic Church, who has helped mediate between the government and the rebels in the past.

Using rear bases in Sudan , the Lord’s Resistance Army has launched a campaign of murder, rape and abductions, killing tens of thousands of civilians and forcing more than 1.6 million people to flee their homes.

Past peace efforts have failed because of mistrust between the government and rebels. Attempts by religious leaders to mediate also have failed.

Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, the government’s main negotiator said both sides are still talking and aim to sign an agreement to end the conflict, but he couldn’t give a date.

Both parties failed to meet a Dec. 31 deadline to sign a cease-fire deal. Museveni blamed the rebels for the failure. The rebels, who rarely talk to journalists, didn’t respond.

The Lord’s Resistance Army is made up of the remnants of a northern rebellion that began after Museveni, a southerner, took power in 1986.