Otti should take amnesty

Sep 26, 2005

THE crossing of LRA second-in-command, Vincent Otti, into Congo may prove a watershed in the long-running war in northern Uganda. <br>Otti entered Oriental Province last week with about 50 rebels, a significant percentage of the 300 rebels estimated to remain in the LRA. More importantly, he was th

THE crossing of LRA second-in-command, Vincent Otti, into Congo may prove a watershed in the long-running war in northern Uganda.
Otti entered Oriental Province last week with about 50 rebels, a significant percentage of the 300 rebels estimated to remain in the LRA. More importantly, he was the most experienced soldier still remaining with the LRA leader Joseph Kony. His departure is a heavy blow for the LRA.

It seems clear that the crossing into Congo is not just a military manoeuvre, a prelude to a possible link up with other fragmented Ugandan rebel groups still surviving in eastern Congo.

For some time, the LRA has been moving westward to escape heavy military pressure in southern Sudan from both the UPDF and the SPLA. Now that the SPLA controls Juba, there is very little hope of resupply for the LRA who are very short of food and munitions. Otti entered into Congo because it was now his only escape route. Kony will probably follow him.

The very fact that Otti immediately linked up Congolese officials and members of the UN Observer Mission to Congo (MONUC) is a sign that his group has lost the will to fight.

The United Nations officials asked him and his men to surrender their weapons before entering into talks on whether they should receive asylum, or apply for amnesty in Uganda. The Congolese officials made it clear that the LRA would not be able to continue their struggle from Congo.

Talks are still going on but Otti and his group would be well advised to take advantage of the amnesty offer still prevailing in Uganda, as indeed would all the LRA rebels still in the bush. No-one is happy in exile and many LRA rebels have been successfully integrated into the UPDF or returned to civilian life.
This is a moment of opportunity for Otti and his group. They should not waste it.

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