Ugandan rebels to assemble troops in one point in South Sudan
By Isaac Vuni
May 12, 2007 (JUBA) — The leader of LRA delegation to peace talks in Juba said they would pull out their troops from Eastern Equatoria state to Riikwamba in Western Equatoria state, the LRA only accepted assembling point.
“To be more practical to you our mothers and sisters from Eastern and Western Equatoria states, we the LRM/A going to pull out our forces from Eastern Equatoria state in order to avoid incriminations, and to pave way for your government to identify who are the real criminals terrorizing Eastern Equatoria state” said Martin Ojul, the head of LRA delegation.
Martin Ojul was responding to challenges presented to his delegation to juba peace talks by the disappointed mothers from eastern and western Equatoria states today at Juba Bridge Hotel in Juba the capital of Southern Sudan autonomous Government.
On behalf of LRA, Martin Ojul apologized for crimes committed by their soldiers on innocent people of southern Sudan. He promised that such atrocities would not happen again because they have now secure all the necessary supplies for their forces who will be based in one location in Western Equatoria state till peace is realized.
Ojul hailed the initiative of Sudanese women in seeking to know the truth from LRM/A and requested Sudanese women to create communication network with his team so that they are given right information on the progress of peace talks.
The Deputy Charlady of LRM/A delegation to Juba peace talks, Miss. Josephine Apira, also appeal to Sudanese women from Eastern Equatoria state to demand from their government the removal of UPDF from southern Sudan territory, adding that Ugandan parties to the conflict have already signed cessation of hostility as a way forward for negotiation, therefore, there is no reason for UPDF occupying southern Sudanese territories in large number.
“We request you our sisters to assist us by demanding from your government removal of UPDF from southern Sudan territory. Let the UPDF retreat to control their border point with southern Sudan”, pleaded Apira
Dr. James Obita, a member of LRA delegation assured Sudanese women that observers from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo has already visited all the designated assembly sites and would be responsible in monitoring LRA relocation and movement while in Western Equatoria state until peace is relies within the next two months, said Obita.
He further stated that there would be a general consultative meeting with all conflict affected areas of northern, eastern and western Uganda to be held in Nairobi in the month of June this year; that the purpose of consultation meeting in Nairobi Kenya is to endorse the draft comprehensive agreement that would be read through page by page before its final signing in Juba.
Meanwhile the acting LRM/A Spokesman to peace talks who is also the Secretary for information, Godfry Ayo attributed the delay of the peace talks on what he called prejudices from the mediators, Ugandan Government and UN representatives in the talks who were adamant to LRA request that number of observers be increased to include African head of states, guarantee of security to LRM/A on negotiations table, convenience venue, chief mediator should be free and competence including better incentives for LRM/A negotiating team.
“Had our request been met from the time we presented last year in July, we would have reached amicable political solution to people’s expectation and aspirations”, lament Ayo.
Responding to his remarks, the Speaker of Eastern Equatoria state Legislative Assembly, Miss, Sabina Dario Lokolong sought to know the objective of LRA and why they are depriving people of greater Equatoria from enjoying their hardy worn freedom from Khartoum government. However RM/A Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ayena Odong, said their objective among others is to have justice and lasting peace in Uganda and by extension to southern Sudan.
LRM/A member, Miss Santa Okot pleaded to Sudanese women to be patience and keep watching and monitoring steps of LRM/A negotiating team because they LRM together with Ugandan government would like to iron out all issues that causes disagreement so that they would not resort to yet another bitter and destructive war that would have spill over to neighbouring southern Sudan.
Mrs. Vosca Martin Enosa of Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly demanded for the return of young girls adopted by LRA from western Equatoria state. Responding to her request, the LRM/A Leader of delegation to Juba peace talk, Mr. Martin Ojul said they would take up the matter with their field commanders on the alleged abduction of young girls then would inform Sudanese women through their contact person accordingly.
The Representative of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Khartoum, Mrs. Ogala Eune Odera, appealed to LRA leadership to stop blocking roads, looting food, raping women and killing of innocent people because they are scaring southern Sudanese IDPs in Khartoum from returning and to participate in the coming census, and election in their home areas. Otherwise, history would not forgive them because people in northern Ugandan and southern Sudanese are one people and had a lot in common, she warned.
Earlier, the team leader of the affected mothers from greater Equatorian (Eastern, Central and Western Euatoria) states, Mrs. Anna Akello who is also the Chairperson of SPLM Women League in Eastern Equatoria State Torit, said they would like to know why LRA are terrorizing, blocking roads, raping women and even killing innocent southern Sudanese.
Adding that the women also wanted to know how far LRA has gone in realizing peace with Ugandan government, because filtering news indicating that LRA are refusing to negotiate peaceful solution with Ugandan government. Besides women from rural areas have no access to news and information being channel through radio and television which are only limited to urban area of Juba, claimed Akello.
The rebel LRA has signed Cessation of Hostility last year in August, signed a Comprehensive Solutions Agreement on May 2, 2007 and are now discussing Agenda three on Accountability and Reconciliation
In attendance were:
Eastern and Western Equatoria States Representatives
– Hon. Sabina Dario Lokolong, Speaker Eastern Equatoria state Assembly Hon. Vosca Martin
– Enosa, Western Equatoria State Assembly Torit
– Hon. Elizabeth Idor James, Eastern Equatoria state Assembly Torit
– Mrs. Anna Akello Chairperson SPLM Women League, Eastern Equatoria StateTorit
– Mrs. Flora Ilha Matia, Vice Chairlady women Union, Eastern Equatoria State Torit
– Mrs. Clementina Jawbanus, member of women Union Eastern Equatoria state Torit
– Mrs. Ogala Eune Odera, IDPs from Khartoum
– Mr. Isaac Vuni, Social Communicator, Eastern Equatoria State/Goss
LRM/A Delegation to Juba Peace Talk
– Mr. Martin Ojul, LRM/A Leader of Delegation and Secretary for Finance and Logistic
– Miss. Josephine Apira, Deputy Chairlady LRA Delegation to Juba peace talk
– Mr. Godfrey Ayoo, LRM/A Acting Spokesman and Secretary for Information
– Mr. Ayena Odongo, LRM/A Secretary for Foreign Affairs
– Mr. Pastor Obita Peter, LRM/A Secretary for Security and Legal Affairs
– Mr.Otim Okulu, LRM/A Secretary for Administration
– Dr. James Obita, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
– Mr. Labeja Justin, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
– Miss. Santa Okot, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
– Mr. Olomonan Yusub Adek, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
– Mr. Okello Mission, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
– Mr. Kidega Quinto, LRM/A member of delegation to Juba peace talk
(ST)