Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides)- “Talks continue: yesterday 10 October the LRA delegation presented a 20 page document the second point for discussion on social and economic aspects. The government delegation should reply today” Fides was told by Mario Giro, S. Egidio Community representative on the team of international mediators for peace in Northern Uganda, contacted in Juba southern Sudan where talks are being held between the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Uganda government (see Fides 28 August and 19 September 2006).
S. Egidio representatives says “the rebels are proving to be capable negotiators, improving with time. Also because the LRA delegation has been reinforced with lawyers and experts. It comes as no surprise the fact that they are able to produce complex and articulated documents”.
After determining the conditions of a cease fire, including the grouping of LRA troops in two areas, talks focus now on aspects relative to the economic and social development of northern Uganda. Because of the fighting this is the least developed area of Uganda. In the rest of the country there is considerable economic growth. Northern Uganda also suffers the tragedy of internally displaced persons forced to live in camps to escape rebel violence. It is estimated that most of the local Acholi people live in refugee camps. A point for discussion is the resettling of these people. The LRA is composed of Acholi men and it is also mainly responsible for this tragedy.
“It is paradoxical for the LRA to claim it represents the Acholi people who are both the victims and the perpetrators of this war” says Giro. “However the government army is also partly responsible for the violence”.
In the past few days there have been bellicose statements on both sides, the government threatens to resume hostilities and the LRA wants the International Penal Court to revoke the warrant of arrest for its leaders charged with crimes against humanity. “These statements are part of negotiating. It is a way of strengthening positions and raising the stakes” say Giro. “Point 3 for discussion will concern justice, point 4 will focus on disarmament and reintegration of former combatants. Negotiations are expected to continue for a long time”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2006 righe 40 parole 509)
