Sudan, Uganda Sign Kony Deal

By Emmy Allio UGANDA and Sudan have signed a protocol under which Ugandan soldiers can hunt for Kony rebels inside Sudan. Kony is believed to be still holding about 6,000 child captives abducted from northern Uganda.Sources said the first protocol was signed on March 5 in Khartoum between the Sudan People’s Armed Forces and UPDF’s Brig. Nyakairima Aronda.The protocol was amended on March 10 in Khartoum and signed by defence minister Amama Mbabazi and the acting army commander, Maj. Gen. James Kazini. A Sudanese minister signed for Sudan.Meanwhile, a five-man Sudanese military team arrived in the country over the weekend to oversee UPDF operations against the rebels.Sources said the team is due in Gulu today.They said a joint statement by both countries on the protocols is to be issued today. “We signed an agreement in Khartoum. Details will be known later,” Mbabazi said yesterday.The Sudanese Charge d’Affaires in Kampala, Mr. Mohammad Sirajjudin, said, “A joint statement will be issued.”He said Sudanese leader Lt. Gen. Omar Bashir over the weekend sent an envoy to Uganda to see how agreements signed recently between Sudan and Uganda are being implemented.Sudan’s information and communication minister Mahdi Ibrahim Mohammad met President Yoweri Museveni on Monday and yesterday, Sirajjudin said.“The minister is a presidential envoy who has come to follow up how past agreements can be implemented. He is to ascertain what Uganda can do for Sudan and what Sudan can do for Uganda. This is an important period in the history of both countries,” Sirajjudin said. Sources said the Khartoum protocols spelt out that the Sudan People’s Liberation Army will not take advantage of the UPDF operation inside Sudan or be aided by UPDF. In the past, Sudan accused Uganda of backing SPLA and Uganda in turn accused Sudan of supporting Kony, whose fighters have been classified as terrorists following the September 11 attack on the US.Ends