Museveni, Salva Kiir to discuss Ugandan peace process Monday

April 13, 2007 (JUBA) — The Ugandan President Youri Museveni will pay a one day visit to the capital of southern Sudan for talks with the President of southern Sudan government on the peace talks with the rebel LRA.

Museveni’s visit comes following the rejection of the final text of peace agreement by the leader of Lord’s Resistance Army, Joseph Kony who asked mediators to clarify the document and to probe the causes of process failure.

Kony also fired his top negotiator David Mastanga, who was accused of collaboration with the Ugandan government.

As, the north Ugandan rebel movement announced its commitment to the peace process, Slava Kiir is expected to ask Museveni to accept the continuation of southern Sudan government mediation to reach a peaceful solution for the two decades conflict.

Ugandan International Affairs Minister Okello Oryem said President Yoweri Museveni is still willing to move the peace process forward including finding a new mediator or a new venue.

The chief mediator and Vice President of southern Sudan, Riek Machar, remained on the remote Congo border on Saturday to try to salvage a final deal with fugitive rebel leader Joseph Kony.

Machar said wanting to meet Joseph Kony personally and discuss with him the next stage in the peace process.

Machar explained that the rebel movement signed all the different documents discussed since 2006 and he wishes to discuss Kony’s reserves on the final text.

The signed agreements include the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the agreement on Comprehensive Solutions and its Protocols, the agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation, the agreement on a Permanent Ceasefire; the agreement on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration.

The agreement on Implementation and Monitoring Mechanisms; and the Implementation Schedule had to be signed with and attached to the Final Peace Agreement.

(ST)