We won’t lift Kony arrest yet - Museveni
Jul 21, 2007
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ruled out asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to lift the arrest warrants against the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels before a peace deal is reached.
By Felix Osike
and Cyprian Musoke
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ruled out asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to lift the arrest warrants against the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels before a peace deal is reached.
Addressing journalists at State House Nakasero yesterday, Museveni stated that the rebels must sign the comprehensive peace agreement in Juba, South Sudan before any action is taken.
“We are not going to ask ICC to lift the arrest warrants. You must leave the warrants alone. If they don’t conclude the peace talks they could be arrested and taken to the ICC or get killed. There is no shortcut.
“If they conclude the peace deal, that is when the government can write to the ICC to say we have found an alternative solution,†the President stressed.
He warned that even if the ICC lifted the arrest warrants, the government could still hunt down the rebels using the national laws.
“Those fellows are still on treason charges. Even if the ICC was to lift it, we shall hunt them down and our punishment is much harsher than that of the ICC. You know ICC doesn’t sentence you to death. But here, you know how things move.â€
In 2005, the ICC issued five arrest warrants for top LRA commanders over war crimes and crimes against humanity. But since the negotiations started, the LRA has requested that the ICC drop the charges as a condition for the conclusion of any peace agreement.
ICC prosecutor Moreno Ocampo told the New Vision recently that the arrest warrants would not be lifted unless there was a legal challenge from the government or the LRA to the ICC judges.
Museveni said ICC must be supported because it was created to stop impunity in the world.
“One of the international bodies I support is this ICC. It is good because for people to do terrible things and get away with it because the world is not coordinated, is really bad. This court coordinates the world. We should all give it support.â€
The international involvement through the ICC, the President explained, is a soft-landing for the rebels.
“Because even if Kony was to go to the ICC, he would not be hanged. He would be sentenced to a life imprisonment. It is much better for him.â€
He, however, said the traditional justice system of Mato Oput, a form of social accountability for crimes committed, could be pursued as an alternative.
On Somalia, the President said: “It is a good sign that the whole of Somalia is peaceful except in Mogadishu. He said the way forward was dialogue among the Somalis to reach a consensus.
Museveni also clarified that it was the responsibility of the international community to pay the UPDF soldiers who are serving under the African Union peace-keeping force in Somalia and that their arrears would be cleared.
and Cyprian Musoke
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ruled out asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to lift the arrest warrants against the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels before a peace deal is reached.
Addressing journalists at State House Nakasero yesterday, Museveni stated that the rebels must sign the comprehensive peace agreement in Juba, South Sudan before any action is taken.
“We are not going to ask ICC to lift the arrest warrants. You must leave the warrants alone. If they don’t conclude the peace talks they could be arrested and taken to the ICC or get killed. There is no shortcut.
“If they conclude the peace deal, that is when the government can write to the ICC to say we have found an alternative solution,†the President stressed.
He warned that even if the ICC lifted the arrest warrants, the government could still hunt down the rebels using the national laws.
“Those fellows are still on treason charges. Even if the ICC was to lift it, we shall hunt them down and our punishment is much harsher than that of the ICC. You know ICC doesn’t sentence you to death. But here, you know how things move.â€
In 2005, the ICC issued five arrest warrants for top LRA commanders over war crimes and crimes against humanity. But since the negotiations started, the LRA has requested that the ICC drop the charges as a condition for the conclusion of any peace agreement.
ICC prosecutor Moreno Ocampo told the New Vision recently that the arrest warrants would not be lifted unless there was a legal challenge from the government or the LRA to the ICC judges.
Museveni said ICC must be supported because it was created to stop impunity in the world.
“One of the international bodies I support is this ICC. It is good because for people to do terrible things and get away with it because the world is not coordinated, is really bad. This court coordinates the world. We should all give it support.â€
The international involvement through the ICC, the President explained, is a soft-landing for the rebels.
“Because even if Kony was to go to the ICC, he would not be hanged. He would be sentenced to a life imprisonment. It is much better for him.â€
He, however, said the traditional justice system of Mato Oput, a form of social accountability for crimes committed, could be pursued as an alternative.
On Somalia, the President said: “It is a good sign that the whole of Somalia is peaceful except in Mogadishu. He said the way forward was dialogue among the Somalis to reach a consensus.
Museveni also clarified that it was the responsibility of the international community to pay the UPDF soldiers who are serving under the African Union peace-keeping force in Somalia and that their arrears would be cleared.