Former head of rebel team accused of betraying Uganda’s LRA
By Isaac Vuni
April 12, 2008 (NABANGA, Western Equatoria Stat) — A southern Sudan lawmaker accused the head of rebel negotiating team and LRA spokesperson to peace talks of betraying his movement and hiding the latest developments of the peace process.
MP Simon Oyet of Noya County of Gulu has accused David Mastanga of betraying LRA by being untruthful to Joseph Kony on the final progress of the peace talks including the planned meeting of leading traditional and religious leaders with General Kony last year.
Oyet further alleged that Mastanga was not in communication with Joseph Kony during the last seven days before mediators and invited guest reached Nabang because Mastanga was plotting to sign the agreement on behalf of Joseph Kony.
“General Joseph Kony is committed to signing final peace agreement but Dr. David Mastanga whom he entrusted during the last five months has betrayed Kony and LRA delegation at the last minute and that was why he was fired by Kony on 10th April 2008 in presence of religious and traditional leaders”, claimed Oyet.
The chief mediator, Riek Machar wondered why Matsanga has failed to brief Kony on traditional justice and the special division of the high court of Uganda after their request for one day workshop with religious and traditional leaders including members of parliament and district administrators from northern Uganda to explain to them the details of Mato Oput and the special court of Uganda which was held last year in December at Juba bridge Hotel.
He further said Matsanga himself reported to mediators that thirty traditional and religious leaders were designated to meet Kony to explain more about Mato Oput and the special division of Ugandan court.
However, Ruhakana Rugunda, minister of internal affairs and team leader of government delegation, denied allegation by Honorable Simon Oyet of Noya County of Gulu that David Mastanga has been a double dealer and that he was on the pay role of Ugandan government. “That is the kind of nonsense you should not repeat”
During press conference on 11th April, the former head of delegation, stated that he resigned because Joseph Kony was not willing to sign the final peace agreement with Uganda government even after the youngest government of Southern Sudan has brought the warring Ugandan to addressing all issues hindering peace in northern and north-eastern Uganda including money injected by donors to go a waste.
Mastanga urged the international community and peace loving people to exhort pressure to bear on Joseph Kony to embrace peace.
Mrs. AlajnTeresa, 51 year of age, representative of Women Network for Peace in Greater northern Uganda said women borne the brunt of LRA 21 years insurgency and fears that LRA and the Ugandan army may resort to yet another deadly war whose casualties would rest upon women and children.
Hence she appeals to government of Sudan in Khartoum and the international community to pressurize Kony to sign the final peace deal by cutting off any form of supply to LRA.
(ST)