Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Fides Service) - The government’s cease fire with the Lord’s Resistance Army LRA rebels in northern Uganda ends today, (see Fides 17 February 2005). However a government spokesman said talks with the guerrillas will go ahead. The government has adopted a 3 point plan: “military operations will continue, surrendering rebels will be welcomed and negotiations will go ahead” said Internal Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in Gulu main town in the northern part of Uganda the scene of civil conflict and bloodshed for 19 years.
At least 100.000 people have been killed in the war, 25.000 kidnapped and enlisted in the rebel military ranks, and 1.6 billion people, the entire population, have had to abandon villages and fields and live without even the basic necessities for survival in camps many often mercilessly targeted by the LRA. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/2/2005 righe 25 parole 292)
