Kony is a unique case for Uganda
Jul 06, 2006
SIR — The Government of Uganda has taken a decision to grant amnesty to the defeated terrorists of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They LRA are currently living in the D.R. Congo where they were forced to flee after they were defeated by the UPDF in northern Uganda and combined forces of UPDF
SIR — The Government of Uganda has taken a decision to grant amnesty to the defeated terrorists of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They LRA are currently living in the D.R. Congo where they were forced to flee after they were defeated by the UPDF in northern Uganda and combined forces of UPDF and SPLA in Southern Sudan.
Some 200 rebels have been in this part of the D.R. Congo for the last nine months during which time they have continued to attack parts of Southern Sudan (Yambio-Meridi areas). In spite of this, it was agreed with the Government of Southern Sudan that the defeated LRA terrorists be given the option of a soft landing.
This would take the form of peace talks that can lead to them abandoning terrorism and coming out of the bush. This option is open for a period of two months, starting May 2006.
The Government thinks that people who commit massive crimes against humanity should not enjoy a blanket pardon.
However, the issue of Joseph Kony and his group presents a unique complication for Uganda. There are no reliable partners in the region apart from the Government of Southern Sudan with whom to finish off the LRA terrorists. The D. R. Congo government is not cooperative.
The UN forces in DRC are not serious and so have not come up with a clear mechanism for enforcing the ICC indictments. Uganda takes the ICC very seriously. We would have liked to arrest the indictees and hand them over to the ICC for prosecution. Unfortunately, neither Uganda nor the ICC have reliable partners in the region to realise this objective.
Both the UN and the DRC have refused to allow Uganda to enter the DRC and solve the Kony problem. In such circumstances we can only deal with this matter in the manner which it is hoped will be more effective. It is important to remember that it is the people of northern Uganda and Southern Sudan that have been terrorised by the LRA. Therefore the two administrations will collaborate in whatever way to bring an end to this suffering.
The leadership of the LRA should take this offer seriously in their own self-interest.
Those who insist that the military option has failed must not forget that it is this option that forced the LRA terrorists into the DRC and got them to seek a peaceful settlement.
Robert Kabushenga
Uganda Media Centre
Some 200 rebels have been in this part of the D.R. Congo for the last nine months during which time they have continued to attack parts of Southern Sudan (Yambio-Meridi areas). In spite of this, it was agreed with the Government of Southern Sudan that the defeated LRA terrorists be given the option of a soft landing.
This would take the form of peace talks that can lead to them abandoning terrorism and coming out of the bush. This option is open for a period of two months, starting May 2006.
The Government thinks that people who commit massive crimes against humanity should not enjoy a blanket pardon.
However, the issue of Joseph Kony and his group presents a unique complication for Uganda. There are no reliable partners in the region apart from the Government of Southern Sudan with whom to finish off the LRA terrorists. The D. R. Congo government is not cooperative.
The UN forces in DRC are not serious and so have not come up with a clear mechanism for enforcing the ICC indictments. Uganda takes the ICC very seriously. We would have liked to arrest the indictees and hand them over to the ICC for prosecution. Unfortunately, neither Uganda nor the ICC have reliable partners in the region to realise this objective.
Both the UN and the DRC have refused to allow Uganda to enter the DRC and solve the Kony problem. In such circumstances we can only deal with this matter in the manner which it is hoped will be more effective. It is important to remember that it is the people of northern Uganda and Southern Sudan that have been terrorised by the LRA. Therefore the two administrations will collaborate in whatever way to bring an end to this suffering.
The leadership of the LRA should take this offer seriously in their own self-interest.
Those who insist that the military option has failed must not forget that it is this option that forced the LRA terrorists into the DRC and got them to seek a peaceful settlement.
Robert Kabushenga
Uganda Media Centre