Sudan allows Uganda to bomb rebels in Sudan

KAMPALA, Mar 19, 2004 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese government has allow the Ugandan government forces to use war planes to bomb the rebels in southern Sudan, Ugandan army commander Major General Nyakairima Aronda has said.

He was quoted by government newspaper The New Vision on Friday that the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) will eliminate rebel leaders, mostly targeting Joseph Kony of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and his deputy Vincent Otti.

Use of air-power is very crucial for this operation, he said.

Aronda said the army is prepared to stay in the Sudan for as long as possible, adding that “in case I have not ended my mission then we shall ask for an extension.”

Asked how the UPDF is to confront the situation, Aronda said ” it is a simple mission. We are going all-out to look for the terrorists in the forests and caves.”

However, Aronda did not say when they will go into the Sudan.

Earlier this month the Sudan extended a protocol for anther three months to allow the UPDF to stay.

Since they stared fighting the LRA rebels, based in southern Sudan, have killed tens of thousands of civilians, spreading fear throughout northern Uganda, paralyzing economic activities there.