South Sudan gives LRA rebels one more chance to get peace

April 6, 2007 (JUBA) — The president of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) , Salva Kiir, says he has given the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels one more chance to negotiate peace with the Ugandan government or the Government of Southern Sudan will take action against the LRA.

Speaking during an official visit to Western Equatoria state, President Kiir said his government is ready to work with the international community, the LRA and the Ugandan government to end the 20-year conflict in northern Uganda. Kiir said prevailing peace in northern Uganda would also improve security in many parts of southern Sudan.

The peace talks between the LRA and the Ugandan government, mediated by the GOSS, are expected to resume this month. The talks were suspended after the LRA delegation pulled out of the talks, accusing the Government of Southern Sudan of not being a trustworthy mediator. The Ugandan rebels also expressed security fears after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir threatened to “get rid of the LRA from Sudan”.

South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique have agreed to join the South Sudan mediated Ugandan peace talks in Juba.

Measures to restore LRA confidence initially included expanding Riek Machar’s mediating team, whom the LRA distrust, with delegates from five other African countries. The LRA negotiators welcomed the move as “a positive development.”

(SRS/ST)