By Charles Ariko
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has written to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, seeking the official position of the UN on the recent revelation by his envoy that the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) exists and operates from the DR Congo.

During a visit to Uganda last week, the UN envoy to the Great Lakes region, William Lacy Swing, said about 2,000 rebels, including those of the PRA, operate from the DRC.

Swing made the remarks at a press conference at Entebbe, moments after a closed meeting President Yoweri Museveni had with members of the UN Security Council on November 9. Swing had accompanied the UN team.

In a statement issued yesterday, Anne Mugisha, the FDC special envoy in the office of the president, said the statement alleging the existence of a shadowy rebel movement in the names of PRA had caused consternation and widespread concern among Ugandans.
“Given the grave consequences of the statements made by Mr. Swing, FDC and the people of Uganda have a right to know the position of the Secretary General on a number of critical issues,” FDC said.

“Specifically, the people of Uganda would like to know the strength, location, leadership and financiers of the PRA, if in fact such a group does exist.

In addition, Ugandans and the international community would like to know how long the UN has had this information and why it was not disclosed until this crucial pre-election time and whether the Secretary General affirms the statement,” it added.