Ugandan rebels kill 4, abduct 12 in South Sudan
May 29, 2007 (KAMPALA) — A group of LRA rebels raided two villages in western Equatoria province, including the home of the information minister of South Sudan, killing four people, abducting 12 others and looting livestock.
The group, under the command of Thomas Kwoyello, was heading to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Lt Chris Magezi, a spokesman of the Ugandan army.
“We have received reliable information that a group of LRA rebels led by Kwoyello crossed to Garamba on around 23 May. On their way, they caused extensive damage in Tore, Lairya and Ondruba in western Equatoria,” Magezi told journalists.
“A total of four people were killed, 12 abducted and up to 100 goats and cows were stolen. They also raided the home of the information minister Samson Kwaje and disarmed 13 local militiamen.”
The army publicist said the furious militiamen have demanded that the Ugandan army replaces their guns since they were taken by their enemies.
“We told them that the LRA rebels are not our enemies but are enemies of all peace-loving people,” Magezi added.
He said they had also received credible information that some pockets of LRA rebels were still roaming in eastern Equatoria under the command of two or three captains, terrorising the local population.
“All these are serious violations of the cessation of the hostilities agreement and go against the spirit of the Juba peace talks.
Nevertheless, the peace we have attained in the north will never be reversed,” the army spokesman stated.
Magezi said that since the period given to the LRA to assemble at Ri-Kwangba had elapsed, there should be no more rebels in the area and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army would respond appropriately to anybody who tried to disrupt the peace in South Sudan.
“We shall also not relax our deployments along the border with South Sudan and DRCongo. We shall remain on stand-by all the way from West Nile up to Gulu,” he warned.
The latest deadline for the LRA fighters to assemble expired on 26 May. An addendum, signed on 14 April, had given them six weeks to move to Ri-Kwangba.
Asked for a reaction, Internal Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said he had received the same reports. He condemned the harassment of civilians.
“Our view is that when agreements are made, they should be strictly followed. Incidents of that nature are the more reason to double our efforts to conclude the peace talks so that normalcy can return to northern Uganda and South Sudan and all LRA fighters can come home and be reintegrated.”
Rugunda, who heads the government delegation at the Juba negotiations, is scheduled to travel back to Juba on Thursday for the resumption of the talks.
(New Vision)