Peace deal signing postponed to April 14

Apr 02, 2008

THE LRA leader, Joseph Kony, is not yet at Ri-Kwangba, where he is set to sign the final peace deal from, the UN special envoy on northern Uganda has said.

By Milton Olupot
in Juba

THE LRA leader, Joseph Kony, is not yet at Ri-Kwangba, where he is set to sign the final peace deal from, the UN special envoy on northern Uganda has said.

On his arrival at Juba International Airport yesterday, Joachim Chissano told journalists that the signing had been postponed.

Kony is now scheduled sign on April 10 and the Government on April 14.

The LRA leader was scheduled to sign today in Ri-Kwangba, whereas the Government was meant to sign on April 5 in Juba.

The LRA chief negotiator, David Nyekorach Matsanga, on Tuesday said the signing was postponed for logistical reasons.

He said the LRA needed more time to prepare the venue for the signing ceremony.

Matsanga added that most of the LRA commanders were indisposed due to illness and would not have attended the function.

In a related development, John Odyek and Joyce Namutebi in Kampala report that the chief government negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, yesterday invited MPs to witness the final agreement signing ceremony in Juba.

In a ministerial statement, Rugunda said the setback of change of dates was too trivial to deter their enthusiasm.

Unlike the usual procedure in which MPs discuss ministerial statements, after Rugunda spoke, MPs passed a motion restraining the legislators from commenting on it for fear of derailing the peace process.

The motion was moved by Akbar Godi (FDC) and Betty Amongi (independent).

Additional reporting by Henry Mukasa

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