Ugandan rebels to consult leader before signing DDR Agreement
By Isaac Vuni
February 24, 2008 (JUBA) — The rebel LRA negotiating team will leave the talks venue for consultation before signing the last agenda number five on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Agreements, revealed LRA top negotiator.
David Nyekorach Matsang told Sudan Tribune they requested the chief mediator, Riek machar, to adjourn the talks to enable them to go and consult with their boss at Reiikwbwa in Western Equatoria state of southern Sudan before signing the last documents on DDR and that they are due to leaves by Wednesday 27th February carrying with them the copy of the final draft agreements for Joseph Kony’s perusal.
Earlier the chief mediator said he was under pressure from donors to complete the talks the latest 29th of this month. While Joaquim Alberto Chissano, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for LRA affected areas stated that the donor are patiently waiting to support the final agreement implementation.
The LRA rebellion against President Yoweri Museveni has devastated north Uganda since 1986, killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted nearly two million, and become infamous for the brutal methods of the rebels.
At Saturday’s signing rebel and government delegates embraced each other warmly.
The Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of LRA combatants are crucial component for a secure and peaceful Uganda that would commit them to credible transparent and effective DDR which will support the combatant’s transitions to a productive civilian life.
Yet Matsanga claimed that their leader Joseph Kony had given them full mandate to negotiate and sign the final agreement and during the negotiation, before they sign any documents, he calls and brief Joseph Kony through satellite phone from his hide out location ceremony takes off.
As the warring parties signed the last section of the politically negotiated agreements, yesterday, LRA delegation expressed fears that Uganda government through the parliament have not make any move to enacting laws that would allows accused LRA commanders to be try in Uganda for crimes against humanity. But Government team leader said Ugandan judiciary is already putting the entire necessary legal framework for trying any accused combatants in Uganda.
The parties signed the Cessation of Hostility on 26th August 2006, Comprehensive Solutions on 2nd May 2007, Accountability and Reconciliation on 29th June 2007 and implementation of power sharing modalities signed on 22nd February 2008 while permanent ceasefire signed on 23rd February 2008 respectively.
(ST)