Kiir says Sudan is ready to force out LRA from southern Sudan

Aug 24, 2005 (Khartoum) — Sudanese First-Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit warned Wednesday that his government in the south is ready to force out the Ugandan Lord Resistance Army (LRA).

Addressing a public rally in Juba town in southern Sudan, Kiir said seeking a solution for the southern Sudan-based LRA is a priority for his government in the south.

Kampala and Khartoum signed an agreement in 2002 to allow the Ugandan army to launch cross-border operations against the notorious LRA, which has several bases in southern Sudan.

Clashes between the Ugandan army and the LRA have intensified recently.

Kirr suggested three choices for the LRA to resolve the conflict — by seeking a peaceful solution with the Ugandan government, getting out of southern Sudan or facing a military forcing out.

He announced that the southern Sudan government has been exerting efforts to reach an understanding and a compromise with the southern Sudan armed factions to ensure their participation in the government of the south.

The southern Sudan government will conduct dialogue with these forces so as to unite them for the development of the south, he said.

Kiir also noted that the duty of the southern government will be drafting a transitional constitution for the south and selecting members of the parliament and government.

He pledged to help refugees displaced to return home at southern Sudan and provide them with necessary accommodations.

Kiir, chosen as chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to replace his predecessor John Garang after the latter was killed in a helicopter crash on July 30, was sworn in as first vice president and southern Sudan’s president on Aug. 11.