Sudan extends Kony hunt

THE Sudan government on Monday extended for a month “Operation Iron-Fist”, the code-name for the UPDF’s hunt for rebels of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army in southern Sudan, reports Emmy Allio.Foreign affairs minister James Wapakhabulo, who is also the third deputy premier, yesterday said relations with the Sudan were good. He said the Sudanese foreign affairs under secretary, Mutref Siddeiq, is expected in Kampala on Friday to deliver a special message to President Yoweri Museveni from Sudanese leader Lt. Gen. Omar Bashir. Sources said the new agreement was signed for Uganda by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence boss, Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo, and the head of Uganda’s liaison team in Juba, Brig. Julius Oketa.Sudanese charge d’affaires in Uganda, Mohammad Surajjudin, confirmed the signing of the new agreement but said, “I know it was signed but I have no details.”“The new protocol extended the period of our stay in Sudan by one month,” army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said. Doubts were raised on the Sudan after the Khartoum government said at the weekend that it was reconsidering its position on whether to renew the first deadline that expired on April 18.