Sudan ends hunt-Kony agreement
Nov 19, 2002
SUDAN will not renew the agreement allowing Uganda’s army to pursue LRA rebels inside Sudanese territory, a government minister said in comments carried by the state SUNA news agency late on Monday
By Okello Jabweli and agencies
SUDAN will not renew the agreement allowing Uganda’s army to pursue LRA rebels inside Sudanese territory, a government minister said in comments carried by the state SUNA news agency late on Monday.
Uganda began operation “Iron Fist†in March against the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), feared for cutting off villagers’ limbs and lips in a 15-year rebellion against President Yoweri Museveni’s government. The rebels want to rule Uganda according to the biblical Ten Commandments.
Since March, Sudan has renewed the agreement to let Ugandan troops into its far south several times.
“The Sudanese government took the decision (not to renew the protocol) due to the failure of the Ugandan government to answer some questions concerning the limit of time needed for Ugandan troops to remain within Sudanese territory,†foreign minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said.
Uganda’s defence minister Amama Mbabazi yesterday said Uganda had not been notified of the development.
“We’ve heard this only through the media and we do not have it officially yet,†he said.
Museveni last week threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Khartoum over allegations that elements in the Sudanese government had resumed support for the LRA. Since June, the rebel group has stepped up attacks in northern Uganda, creating a severe humanitarian crisis there.
Meanwhile, a Sudanese envoy is to visit Kampala next week to discuss its concerns about the rebels, Mustafa Ismail said on Monday.
The Sudanese ambassador in Kampala, Sirajudin Hamid, was quoted as saying Sudanese President Osmar Hassan el-Bashir would send a high-level delegation to Uganda, led by Mubarak al-Mahdi, the leader of Sudan’s largest opposition party UMMA which recently joined the government.
“We are hoping that this delegation will reassure President Museveni,†said Hamid, IRIN, the UN humanitarian office’s information unit, said.
Ismail, however, declined to say whether the renewal of the agreement which has allowed Ugandan troops to enter Sudanese territory in pursuit of the rebels would be on the agenda.
Previously, Sudan and Uganda traded allegations that each country was allowing rebel groups to operate on their soil.
“We have reached a firm decision that we will not co-operate with the LRA troops,†Ismail said, adding that the Ugandan army had succeeded in forcing the rebels out of Sudanese territory.
Mbabazi said Uganda had been engaged in discussion with the Sudan government over the renewal of the protocol and that Kampala was awaiting a formal communication from Khartoum.
“Following the capture of Kony camps the Sudanese were making the point that we needed to re-define our area of operation. They were saying it was not necessary for us to be deep inside their territory,†Mbabazi said.
He said Uganda was in agreement with the Sudan on that point but had wanted all areas where Kony is included under the operational zone.
“We are waiting for their response. I have every reason to doubt this statement (Sudan saying it will not renew the protocol),†he said. “However should it turn out to be true, the choice is theirs—to be on the side of those fighting terrorism or not.â€
Mbabazi said there was no doubt that LRA leader Joseph Kony was still in Sudan with his forces.
“The letter and spirit of the protocol mandated us to go into Sudan and destroy Kony from there. This mission has not yet been completely achieved. So I would be surprised that Sudan is taking that position.†He said Uganda would continue talking to Sudan with a view to persuading them to extend the protocol.
“However, whatever happens, Uganda cannot tolerate continued attacks from the Sudan and we shall not allow it.â€
Sudan’s new stance, if it turns out right would be a surprise considering that only this week Ismail was defending the accord in the Sudanese Parliament.
SUDAN will not renew the agreement allowing Uganda’s army to pursue LRA rebels inside Sudanese territory, a government minister said in comments carried by the state SUNA news agency late on Monday.
Uganda began operation “Iron Fist†in March against the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), feared for cutting off villagers’ limbs and lips in a 15-year rebellion against President Yoweri Museveni’s government. The rebels want to rule Uganda according to the biblical Ten Commandments.
Since March, Sudan has renewed the agreement to let Ugandan troops into its far south several times.
“The Sudanese government took the decision (not to renew the protocol) due to the failure of the Ugandan government to answer some questions concerning the limit of time needed for Ugandan troops to remain within Sudanese territory,†foreign minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said.
Uganda’s defence minister Amama Mbabazi yesterday said Uganda had not been notified of the development.
“We’ve heard this only through the media and we do not have it officially yet,†he said.
Museveni last week threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Khartoum over allegations that elements in the Sudanese government had resumed support for the LRA. Since June, the rebel group has stepped up attacks in northern Uganda, creating a severe humanitarian crisis there.
Meanwhile, a Sudanese envoy is to visit Kampala next week to discuss its concerns about the rebels, Mustafa Ismail said on Monday.
The Sudanese ambassador in Kampala, Sirajudin Hamid, was quoted as saying Sudanese President Osmar Hassan el-Bashir would send a high-level delegation to Uganda, led by Mubarak al-Mahdi, the leader of Sudan’s largest opposition party UMMA which recently joined the government.
“We are hoping that this delegation will reassure President Museveni,†said Hamid, IRIN, the UN humanitarian office’s information unit, said.
Ismail, however, declined to say whether the renewal of the agreement which has allowed Ugandan troops to enter Sudanese territory in pursuit of the rebels would be on the agenda.
Previously, Sudan and Uganda traded allegations that each country was allowing rebel groups to operate on their soil.
“We have reached a firm decision that we will not co-operate with the LRA troops,†Ismail said, adding that the Ugandan army had succeeded in forcing the rebels out of Sudanese territory.
Mbabazi said Uganda had been engaged in discussion with the Sudan government over the renewal of the protocol and that Kampala was awaiting a formal communication from Khartoum.
“Following the capture of Kony camps the Sudanese were making the point that we needed to re-define our area of operation. They were saying it was not necessary for us to be deep inside their territory,†Mbabazi said.
He said Uganda was in agreement with the Sudan on that point but had wanted all areas where Kony is included under the operational zone.
“We are waiting for their response. I have every reason to doubt this statement (Sudan saying it will not renew the protocol),†he said. “However should it turn out to be true, the choice is theirs—to be on the side of those fighting terrorism or not.â€
Mbabazi said there was no doubt that LRA leader Joseph Kony was still in Sudan with his forces.
“The letter and spirit of the protocol mandated us to go into Sudan and destroy Kony from there. This mission has not yet been completely achieved. So I would be surprised that Sudan is taking that position.†He said Uganda would continue talking to Sudan with a view to persuading them to extend the protocol.
“However, whatever happens, Uganda cannot tolerate continued attacks from the Sudan and we shall not allow it.â€
Sudan’s new stance, if it turns out right would be a surprise considering that only this week Ismail was defending the accord in the Sudanese Parliament.