Kony doesn’t live in Juba, Sudan’s FM
By Joseph Olanyo, The Monitor
KAMPALA, Oct. 25, 2003 –The Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismaiel has denied that Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony lives in Juba or Khartoum.
In an interview with The Monitor on Thursday at the Sudanese Embassy, Mustafa said the Sudanese government is ready to deal with individuals who deal with Kony.
” It is not true that Kony lives in Juba or Khartoum. LRA is a terrorist organisation; how could we keep it in Sudan,” he said.
Mustafa was responding to allegations that the LRA leader resides in Juba and that he has opened a number of businesses in the area.
“Our policy is quite clear. If there is anybody in Sudan dealing with Kony, then we are ready to deal with them.
“The border between Uganda and Sudan is controlled by the SPLA. So, how can he come in and out? What we are saying is that if there is any information, we are willing to investigate,” he said.
About the peace in the region, Mustafa said African problems should have an African solution.
“We in the Sudan don’t believe that peace in the Sudan will be sustained without peace in Uganda. Terrorism is like Aids, like cancer you can not fight Aids in Uganda when it is spreading in the Sudan,” he said.
Addressing guests during the opening of the newly refurbished chancery of the Sudanese Embassy on the same day, the Sudanese Ambassador in Uganda, Mr Sirajuddin Hamid Yousuf said the relations between the two countries have progressed remarkably and a brighter future is awaiting.
“It wasn’t an easy task to normalise what had soured over the years. It took both Sudan and Uganda a great deal of political will and desire to reach the commendable status of bilateral relations we are currently enjoying,” he said.
The Sudanese president, Mr Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, officially opened the embassy located on plot 21 Nakasero Road.
Dressed in a sky blue flowing agbada, Bashir and Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya cut a cake to inaugurate the chancery. They later met with their guests, who included heads of missions.