Ugandan LRA kills one, displaces 3256 people in Sudan’s Equatoria
By Isaac Vuni
March 19, 2007 (TORIT) — Ugandan rebels LRA has, yesterday evening, killed one man, displaced 1756 people then looted their food from southwest Torit County in Esatern equatoria, 9 miles from Torit town. The IDPs are mostly women and children.
Commissioner has directed council treasury to purchase an emergency food and so far 4,345,000 Sudanese pounds was spent for purchasing 15 bags of rice, 7 cartons of cooking oil and 8 bags of Sugar to rescue children and breast feeding mothers plus drums of fuel for transporting SPLA forces from Nimule.
Col. Massimino Alam has appeals to WFP and other international organizations to come to rescue the people of Magwi and southwest Torit who are now occupying Torit East Primary School for the last two days with very meager feeding from council treasury.
The state Director of Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Brigadier General, Luka Acaye said WFP store in Torit is empty. Adding that there was a lot of bureaucracy within WFP sub office at Kapoeta; otherwise, food and shelter are the most needed emergency support for the IDPs now accommodated at Torit East primary school for the last three days.
He went on saying that he could not communicate with head of WFP sub office at Kapoeta, Mrs. Constance Lewanika, because their satellite phones have been withdrawn by WFP office in Nairobi, claimed SRRC officer.
That when Governor Ojetuk came to his office yesterday evening in accompany of his security advisor, he was directed to contact NGO operating in Torit to support the IDPs with emergency relief food including non food items such as shelter and medicine among others.
Unfortunately, he sad the representatives of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) contacted could not rescue the situation although they have 91 IDPs kids in store, as their field manager has gone to Ikwotos without leaving his satellite phone contact with any staff neither their radio call operates at night.
“Even though the 91 IDPs kids are given by NCA, it would not be enough to 1756 people now under the care of county commissioner” he remarks.
According to deputy clerk, Mr. Amedeo Ohite, 1756 people from Moti, Iholang, Imokru, and Gunyoro villages were displaced by Ugandan rebels LRA yesterday at 4.00 pm now camping at Torit East primary school.
The Executive Director of Magwi County, Mr. David Eriga who arrives this morning, say they have, as of yesterday, registered 264 families heads with a total population of 1500 forcefully displaced by LRA now squatting in Magwi town without food.
“If WFP fears because of their so called level four let them supply us with food and mobility then we will takes charge of escorting the desperately needed food to the vulnerable IDPs in Magwi County”, suggests David Eriga,.
Last year in July, the Ugandan rebel leader, Joseph Kony has accused Vice president Riek Machar, Brigadier general Martin Kenyi, Paul Omoya, Okwir Johnson Stephen and Emilio Egga to have introduced them to Khartoum government.
Riek Machar had the first contact with LRA in May 1994 and it was coordinated by late Hernes Guli Kenyi, office manager of Riek Machar while. The LRA delegation was led by Big. Mikman Otti Okot, Big. Sam Kolo. Capt. James Kidega, Capt. Somik Ojok and Johnson Ogwork, Information and publicity officer of the LRA.
The LRA had conducted Goss government in December 2005 to mediate in their conflict with Ugandan government and Vice president Riek Machar was assigned to lead the mediation.
The talks started on July 14th 2006 and it collapse on January 13th 2007 when Ugandan rebels LRA negotiating team claimed that their security was at risk in Juba.
Recently LRA gave some conditions for resumption of peace talks in Juba thus; that a free passage be provided to its fighters to cross to east of River Nile, sitting allowance be increase from US$ 70 per person per day to a reasonable amount to its negotiating team, deployment of 1000 peacekeeping troops around area where LRA troops to assemble, withdrawal of Ugandan soldier from southern Sudan, and that they should be treated with respect by mediators who should also guarantee their safety while in Juba, the capital of southern Sudan.
As I file this report, the county headquarter of Torit was occupied by IDPs who keeps arriving every one hour.
(ST)