By Henry Mukasa in Juba
THE government delegation and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) peace team in Juba put aside their acrimony as they dined and wined at a party on Saturday evening.
The dinner was hosted by Southern Sudan Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar. However, during the party, Col. Charles Otema Awany, the commander of the UPDF 4th Division and a member of the LRA team, Sunday Ocaya, had a brief, emotional verbal exchange.
Otema, frowning and speaking in Luo while pointing an accusing finger, reportedly queried Ocaya on alleged LRA crimes in the north.
“For me I am here for pitch (peace). I want pitch (peace). I am ready to go to the eye chi chi (ICC) and defend myself,” Ocaya retorted.
The government team arrived first at Juba Raha Hotel, at 7:00pm. Its leader, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, was received by Machar, who led him to the service table. Machar, a teetotaller, picked a bottle of Rwenzori mineral water while Rugunda was served a glass of wine. Machar later took coffee.
Machar’s security personnel decreed that no photographs should be taken and fought with journalists, confiscating cameras and shouting warnings.
The LRA team arrived an hour late led by chairperson Martin Ojul. But the spokesperson, Obonyo Olweny and Col. Santo Alit were conspicuously absent as was international relations state minister Okello Oryem.
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