Ugandan rebel LRA hinders humanitarian work in S. Sudan – UN

Oct 19, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The UN envoy to Sudan has said that the attacks being launched by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in the eastern and central equatoria were dangerous for the continuation of humanitarian works there.

During a press conference today the UN secretary-general’s deputy special representative to Sudan and humanitarian co-ordinator, Manuel Aranda da Silva, said that the LRA’s operations created a deteriorating security situation and obstructed the return of refugees and immigrants to Southern Sudan.

Humanitarian access to affected areas remains limited, preventing agencies from forming a clear picture of the numbers of affected populations and delivering much-needed assistance to them, according to the mission, known by its acronym UNAMIS.

Da Silva said that the UN was trying to find a peaceful solution for the issue of the LRA. He said that there was an agreement between Sudan, Uganda and the southern government to settle the LRA militarily.

He affirmed that the three sides had the right to take suitable measures to solve the LRA problem, describing the LRA as an armed movement which was difficult.

He said that the movement consisted of a large number of criminals and that 90 percent of the LRA soldiers were children who were kidnapped by others.

According to a report published by the UN Nwes Centre, humanitarian agencies in the South are deeply troubled by the continued extortion and even forced conscription of returnees by local militias, according to the mission. Negotiations to bring such practices to an immediate end are ongoing.

(ST)