Archbishop Odama Mediates With LRA Commanders

Minutes of the meeting with LRA officers at Koyo Lalogi (Pader District) on 17th July, 2002.Mediation Team: Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Fr. Tarcisio Pazzaglia, Kitgum Mission & chairman ARLPI, Rwot Joseph Oywak Ywakamoi of Koyo Lalogi, Fr. Carlos Rodriguez (Secretary, Justice & Peace Gulu Archdiocese), Dominique Okot (contact).LRA Team: Lt. Col. Charles Tabuley, Lt. Col. Livingstone Opito, Maj. Dominic Ongwen.1. Welcome Remarks: Lt. Col. Tabuley expressed satisfaction at the coming of the mediators. He recalled that in 2001 he sent junior officers to meet with Fr. Tarcisio and Rwot Oywak in Koyo, particularly Capt. Moses Okelo and Capt. Topaco. Unfortunately, the attack of the UPDF on the venue of the talks on April 25, 2001, spoilt that initiative.He said they are always well informed through the radio, both in Sudan and Uganda, and that they have been hearing a lot of messages about peace and amnesty from the religious leaders. Today is a good chance to hear in this first face-to-face meeting.2. Opening prayer: Archbishop Odama then led a prayer which was followed with much respect by all.3. Archbishop communicates: He thanked all for coming to the first contact meeting and said his words reflected ARLPI’s stand and his own as a pastor. Above all, they represent the views of our people.Because of his great concern about the suffering of the people of Northern Uganda for the last 17 years, the Acholi religious leaders had a meeting on July 2 where it was decided that an urgent meeting with the President was needed. He and Bishop Macleord Baker Ochola (retired Anglican Bishop of Kitgum) went together with Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala to meet President Museveni on July 5.His response was very positive, and he gave us the go- ahead to talk to the LRA. He also proposed three venues for those peace contacts, all of them in Sudan near the Ugandan border. However, since Fr. Tarcisio had already made some contacts with you, we thought we should take this opportunity and this is why we are here today.As the proverb goes, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”. We want this war to come to a peaceful end and we believe that people must talk instead of fighting.We would like to hear from you. We need to know whether you are talking as individual commanders or on your own initiative or representing the LRA High Command.4.Response from LRA OfficersThereafter the mediators asked the LRA officers how to bring about peace and reduce tension. The tone became increasingly cordial as the meeting progressed. Tabuley and Opito talked alternatively. This is a summary of their views.They apologised for the troublesome security checks that the mediators encountered.Both are members of the LRA High Command and their views should be taken as the LRA official stand, including Kony’s. “We always talk to our leader Joseph Kony by radio-call.”They said the LRA are fighting for peace and for recognition of the people of the north as true Ugandans. We want development in the north and for this we need peace.Our main interest is to go for peace talks with the Ugandan Government. We are not Sudanese, but Ugandans, this is why we would like these peace negotiations to take place in Uganda, our country.For peace talks we need a ceasefire. It would be very helpful if we could hear it on radio, declared by the President of Uganda.For the time being we don’t want to hear about amnesty. We don’t want to hear about “changing sides to the Government” either.Some of us were involved in peace talks and we know that in the past some of these initiatives came to nothing because of a number of mistakes. Those mistakes should not be repeated. For instance:-Sending emisaries who pretend to be neutral when in reality they are Government's agents. We need people who are truly neutral.-Politicians who use peace talks for personal gain saying: “I am the one who can bring peace”.-Coming out with ultimatums for surrendering.We want to be respected. We don’t want to hear that we are weak or that we have been defeated.Once a ceasefire and a commitment for peace talks by the Government is assured we could discuss the agenda, venue and some other details.Since the Archbishop and his team will go and meet the President, we would like to hear a response to our proposal.We don’t want to kill civilians. We shall only kill soldiers if we are attacked, or civilians who send intelligence to the UPDF. We also want people to leave the camps. We assure you that we shall leave all roads and no ambushes will take place.5. Archbishop’s reaction:He thanked the LRA for their proposals and said he would take them to the President. What we have spoken here must not be published for the time being. The first person to know about all these proposals is the President and he should hear directly from us, not through the press.Let us avoid mutual suspicion. As mediators we must be honest and impartial. We don’t want to betray you or the Govt.6. Final Prayer: The meeting ended at 12:25pm with a prayer for peace by the Archbishop. We agreed to continue keeping in touch. Archbishop John Baptist Odama CHAIRMANEnds