Uganda peace talks resume in Sudan with US, EU participation

By Isaac Vuni

January 30, 2008 (JUBA) — The warring Ugandan parties resumed today peace talks in Juba in order to end the 21 year long war with the participation of the US and European Union in the talks.

After a four month break, the government of Uganda and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army resumed peace negotiations with the signing of an extension of the ceasefire agreement for one month. The opening session with attended by delegates from the United States and the Union Europeans who joined officially the peace process.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Riek Machar, Vice president of government of southern Sudan and Chief Mediator to Uganda peace talks.

Machar remarks that it was the first time the warring parties have ever signed an agreement within a shortest time and wish them speedy conclusion to issues which he said are easier to conclude.

David Masanga, the head of LRA peace negotiating team said Joseph Kony, leader of rebel LRA has empowered them to negotiate with confidence for peaceful and lasting solution that will end 21 years of hostilities in northern Uganda.

But government of Uganda minister of internal affairs, Ruhakana Rugunda, said until a final peace agreement has been signed and issues of impunity have been handled, government of Uganda would engage the International Criminal Court (ICC) to review the indictments.

Earlier, the Lord’s Resistance Army leader, Joseph Kony, has made any peace deal dependent on ICC indictments being dropped against him and two of his commanders for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

“When we have signed that agreement, certainty the government of Uganda will respect its provision and LRA leaders will be guaranteed of their security by government of Uganda.” He said.

Speaking during the opening session of peace talks in Juba, the head of Ugandan government delegation said his government is committed to hammering out a comprehensive peace deal with LRA that has devastated northern Uganda for the last 21 years.

Rugunda reiterated Ugandan government commitment and support to GoSS initiative of mediating for finding lasting and durable solution to ending hostilities in northern Uganda and that has slipover to its neighboring countries.

He further predicts that the signing of a comprehensive Peace agreement would possibly be in the end of February this year.

Nevertheless, Riek Machar, the chief mediator of Uganda peace talks predicts that the final comprehensive solution would be adopted in early March. “I am happy that we resumed the peace talks but it seems the final solutions would be ready by March this year” Machar told the delegations.

Machar said the talks will tackle the most urgent matters of extending cessation of hostilities that ended last November 2007.

The Vice-President of Southern Sudan government further predicts that working out modalities and mechanisms for the implementation of a comprehensive peace solution as enshrined in accountability and reconciliation deal will only take one day.

He officially announced that the peace process has been joined by United States of America and European Union who have seven representatives. “I am very happy that the whole world wants Uganda to have a peaceful environment for her citizens”.

Meanwhile the head of LRA new delegation, Nyekorac Masanga, refuted allegation by Ugandan media that the Lord’s Resistance Army have started recruitment of new fighters. The people who are speculating such information are the real enemies of peace in Uganda.

The new LRA delegation chairman assured the participants and the entire Ugandan that LRA would not launch any attack on Uganda’s People Defense Force, but reserved the right to defend it self when under attack by Ugandan forces. Masanga added that LRA is looking for a final peace deal to be signed by the end of February this year.

Despite crisis within the LRA sparked by killing of LRA deputy commander Vincent Otti Allan in October last year, the process of political negotiation will continue, assured the chairman of LRA delegation to Juba.

However, Masanga on behalf of LRA, apologized to all families and victims who are in one way affected by 21 years of hostilities waged by both LRA and government of Uganda in northern Uganda, saying their grievances could only be amicably addressed through process of comprehensive peace solution that ought to be embraced as a national peace and reconciliation modalities.

The new LRA chairman also called on government of Uganda not to take any step that may lead to a fresh fighting between the two warring partners.

(ST)