Northern Ugandans benefit from Sudanese peace talks: official

KAMPALA, Dec 26, 2003 (Xinhua) — The on-going talks between the Sudan government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels in Kenya have been described as a positive step that would also benefit the people in northern Uganda, Radio Uganda reported on Friday night.

Kitgum district official Nahman Ojwe was quoted as saying that once peace is restored in southern Sudan, the LRA rebels currently hiding there will have no alternative but to surrender.

Ojwe reported that for the first time in recent years, the people of Kitgum, which borders with the Sudan, had a peaceful Christmas.

He attributed this to efforts by the government army, local defense units and local councils who spent sleepless nights blocking all possible avenues for the rebel incursions.

The district official urged the people to maintain the vigilance so that insecurity becomes the issue of the past.

He said the year 2003 has been a year of bad memories that include burying the loved ones, lining up for the World Food Program items and confinement in internally displacement persons’ camps.

He added that it is because of this background that any efforts to end the war must be supported.

LRA rebels, based in southern Sudan, have killed tens of thousands people and displaced over 1.1 million people in northern Uganda in their 17-year-old rebellion.