AFRICA/UGANDA - “Great hopes for peace, but the situation calls for much prudence and patience” says AVSI representative in Kampala

Friday, 9 November 2007

Kampala (Agenzia Fides)- “Peace has never been so near and hope is tangible but it should be remembered that post-conflict situations are always very delicate” said Filippo Ciantia, representative of the local AVSI Office (Associazione di Volontariato per lo Sviluppo Internazionale) in Kampala, Uganda, with regard to the peace process in N. Uganda (see Fides 6/11/2007). “The visit by the LRA delegation to Gulu was a positive event, even though the delegates were diaspora Ugandans, living in Kenya, Great Britain and the United States. The real LRA combatants are still in the forest and contradictory reports with regard to the whereabouts of Vincent Otti, seem to indicate a split in the LRA”.
Some media reports say that after a dispute with LRA Joseph Kony, Otti was arrested or killed. Ugandan secret services say he has been replaced by Okot Odhiambo.
“Although there is growing hope among the people, there is also concern. Fighting has stopped but crime is increasing, with bandits coming out of the forests to attack civilians. This is why people are reluctant to leave the relative safety of camps, to return to their villages and fields” said Ciantia.
“The conflict in Uganda, which has lasted for more than 20 years, is complex with tension not only between north and south, but also within the north itself ” Ciantia recalls. “Moreover the conflict must be set in the regional context. Persisting conflict in the east of Democratic Congo, new tension in Sudan, tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea and war in Somalia are situations which continue to affect the situation in northern Uganda”.
“There is need for much patience and prudence because post-war situations are always very difficult to handle. AVSI will continue to assist the people, to promote development, because the only way to help former combatants to reinsert themselves into society is to offer them concrete prospects” the representative of the Italian humanitarian organisation concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2007 righe 29 parole 385)


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