Sudan and Uganda agree Darfur and LRA rebels threaten regional stability

August 15, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese and Ugandan governments have agreed that rebel groups in Darfur region and northern Uganda particularly the Lord Resistance Army are negative forces threatening the regional stability.

Uganda since the beginning of this year started hosting Darfur rebel groups, after accusing Sudan of supporting LRA rebels of Joseph Koni who refused to sign a peace deal brokered by South Sudan.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in May 2010 said Kony moved to Darfur region after successful hunting in the Republic of Central African. But Khartoum dismissed his presence there. However up to September 2010 Darfur rebel groups signaled the presence of LRA near the South Darfur border with Central Africa.

“The two sides agreed to consider the rebel movements in Darfur that reject the Doha peace agreement, are negative elements threatening security and stability in the whole region, like the LRA and other similar movements,” the foreign ministry said.

Both countries further stressed that the rebel movements must be handled within the framework of bilateral protocol and agreements which deny any support for these groups,” it further said.

Darfur rebels who were based for a time in Juba moved to the Ugandan capital Kampala where they held several meetings to coordinate their action against Khartoum.

Kampala believes that the LRA rebels could not resist in Central Africa without the support of Khartoum which has security cooperation agreements with the neighbouring country.

Sudan successfully improved its bilateral relations with Chad and stopped any support to Ndjamena rebels. In return, Chad banned the presence of Sudanese groups and closed their bases near the border. The two countries also set up joint patrols to monitor the border and sealed a number of economic agreements.

Sudan signed a peace agreement with the rebel Liberation and Equality Movement (LJM), based on the Doha peace document. The framework is supported by the African Union, Arab League and the United Nations which called on the rebel groups to negotiate a lasting settlement with Khartoum.

(ST)