Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Agenzia Fides)- The rebels of the Lord Resistance Army LRA have agreed to assume responsibility for the crimes committed against civilians in northern Uganda during more than 20 years of civil war. According to the Uganda media this commitment is part of a document which representatives of the rebels presented to the mediator and the delegation of the Ugandan government during peace talks being held in a Juba in southern Sudan (see Fides 15 May 2007).
The LRA representatives say that now they are waiting for the government to answer. The LRA decision to assume responsibility for war crimes is related to the government's promise to ask the International Criminal Court to drop the accusations against the LRA for crimes against humanity, as soon as a peace agreement is signed. The government and the rebels reached an agreement on principle to find an alternative judicial system other than the ICC to judge the crimes and violations committed during over 20 years of civil war.
The rebels are accused of brutality such as mutilation, rape, massacre and slavery, including sexual slavery of boys and girls. The rebel's technical adviser on matters regarding the ICC, David Matsanga, said that in the LRA document presents alternatives to the accusations launched by the ICC. Matsanga criticised the way in which ICC has handled the case and expressed disappointment that the rebels had been accused. “One part has been charged. We can respond for our part. But what about that which concerns the Ugandan army which has so far failed to recognise its responsibilities in the conflict?” the LRA representative told the Voice of America radio station.
The war, which has not been officially declared ended (at the moment there is only a treaty respected by all sides to allow negotiations), has left deep scars on the people of northern Uganda. Last week Ugandan and Sudanese Christian religious leaders held special prayers in Juba, during which they called on Ugandans to take the path of forgiveness in order to reach real peace. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2007 righe 34 parole 429)
