Uganda LRA says ICC must not be used to block peace talks

June 29, 2006 (JUBA) –The spokesperson of the Lord’s Resistance Army says the international criminal court’s warrant of arrest of LRA leader, Joseph Kony, and three of his senior commanders should not be used to block the peace process.

Ugandan officials said the participation of five LRA top commanders, including Kony and his deputy Vincent Otti, who both face ICC arrest warrants, would have to be clarified before face-to-face talks could take place.

Obonyo Olweny who is currently leading the LRA peace delegation in Juba says the ICC can still pursue their options after the conflict has been resolved through dialogue, the Sudan Radio Service (SRS) reported.

He says that it’s not only Kony and his senior commanders who are fighting the Ugandan government but there are other opposition forces.

The LRA spokesperson argued that that his group is willing to state its case to the ICC but adds that the Ugandan government should also be held responsible for some of the atrocities. He defends the LRA, saying it’s not a terrorist organisation but a movement against-what he calls- oppressive rule in Uganda.

LRA leader Joseph Kony said on Wednesday 28 June in a rare interview with Britain’s The Times newspaper that he was ready for talks and rejected accusations that he had committed atrocities.

Arrest warrants issued by the ICC in October 2005 for Kony and four other LRA leaders heightened diplomatic pressure to end the conflict. The group is known for cruel tactics of cutting off lips, ears and limbs of victims.

(ST/SRS)