Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Fides Service)- “The cessation of hostilities between the two groups expires on February 28 and war could break out if the peace talks would not have resumed” Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu northern Uganda told CISA news agency in Nairobi where the Archbishop joined other Bishop Directors and Coordinators of Catholic Justice & Peace Commissions from AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) for one week reflection on the problems affecting the region and the subsequent role of the Catholic Justice and Peace commission.
“More than 1.7 Million people are living in squalid conditions in refugee camps and I am calling on all organizations and agencies to assist in making sure live in northern Uganda goes back to normal” said the Archbishop
Peace talks between the Ugandan government and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) collapsed last January after the LRA announced it was pulling out of the talks mediated by the government of South Sudan in the city of Juba unless the talks were moved to Nairobi but the Kenyan government refused to host the talks (see Fides12 January and 7 February 2007).
The Catholic Church in Kenya has asked the government to reconsider its decision not to host the Uganda peace talks.
Saying that the Church fully respects the decision of the government on relations with neighbouring countries, Archbishop John Njue the Chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference begged the Kenyan government to “do everything in its power to ensure war does not break out again in Uganda. All we are requesting is for Kenya to do anything that will ensure the suffering people of Northern Uganda start living a better life,” said Archbishop Njue.
The LRA said its request was motivated by fear after Sudanese president Omar Bashir said he intended to “eradicate the LRA from Sudan”. On the basis of agreements LRA members who accepted a cease fire are gathered in camps in Sudan and in Democratic Congo. The Ugandan government which intends to continue the talks has said if LRA troops return to Uganda it will be considered a resuming of hostilities. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2007 righe 33 parola 398)
