AFRICA/UGANDA - Government and rebels agree on a cease fire. “A definite step towards peace but more effort is needed to obtain a lasting result”

Kampala (Agenzia Fides)- “This is a step in the right direction for peace, but prudence is necessary because the path to a lasting agreement is still long” a local Church source in Kampala, capital of Uganda, told Fides with regard to the recent agreement for a cease fire reached between the Ugandan government and the rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
The agreement was signed in Juba capital of southern Sudan on 26 August, by Ugandan interior minister Ruhakana Rugunda and the head of the LRS delegation Martin Ojur. The agreement foresaw the cessation of all hostilities on 29 August and gathering of rebel troops in two protected areas of southern Sudan under the supervision of the southern Sudan army.
The agreement will be monitored by a mixed commission consisting of two representatives from both parties, two representatives of the African Union and one of the southern Sudanese army. The Commission will report to a Team of mediators of which S. Egidio Community is also a member. The Commission is led by vice president of southern Sudan Riek Machar,.
At present the LRA troops are divided into two groups, one in northern Uganda and the other in the north of Democratic Congo on the border with Sudan.
Peace talks which started on July 14 suddenly accelerated in mid August. “Various factors helped to make this agreement possible” say Fides sources. “Firstly the installation of the government of the autonomous region of southern Sudan where LRA rebels have had their bases for years. The leaders of Uganda and southern Sudan are on very good terms and the government Juba pressured the LRA to take part in the talks offering at the same time to mediate. Secondly the international community increased pressure on Kampala and the LRA to reach peace in northern Uganda. The third element is that the LRA leaders are wanted by the International Penal Court for crimes against humanity in 20 years of civil war and they are now trying to negotiate peace in exchange for immunity. Clearly this last point is the most controversial. Hence the need for prudence and continued support for peace efforts”.
In a statement to Fides the Rome based S. Egidio Community, on the mediating team, said the agreement signed on 26 August “is an important step forward to peace obtained thanks to two months of activity on the part of Juba Talk Peace, S. Egidio Community and GOSS (southern Sudan government )”.
Twenty years of conflict in northern Uganda and southern Sudan has taken tens of thousands of lives and caused at least 1.5 million people to abandon their homes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/8/2006 righe 42 parole 522)