Museveni extends LRA ceasefire to February 22
Feb 18, 2005
THE LRA rebels have got more time to seek a peaceful resolution of the northern conflict with the Government.
By Chris Ochowun
THE LRA rebels have got more time to seek a peaceful resolution of the northern conflict with the Government.
President Yoweri Museveni has extended the 18-day ceasefire that was due to expire today. The new ceasefire will end on February 22 at 7:00pm.
The UPDF northern-based Operation iron fist intelligence coordinator, col. Charles Otema Awany, said over Radio mega FM on Thursday that the president had directed the army to observe the ceasefire to allow other LRA commanders to emulate the example of their spokesman, Brig. Sam Kolo, who surrendered on Wednesday.
He said the peace talk zone was still free of military operations and encouraged rebels to assemble there and wait for the government peace team to sign the peace talk memorandum.
“His Excellency, the President of Uganda, directed us not to put military pressure on Kolo and Vincent Otti unless they enter our ambush since they are interested in a peaceful resolution of the conflict,†Otema said.
He urged other LRA commanders to surrender instead of waiting for the peace talks.
Otema said military operations would continue in other parts of southern Sudan and northern Uganda against defiant LRA commanders and fighters who do not want to talk peace.
Meanwhile, the LRA rebel chief, Joseph Kony, is promoting his field commanders to halt the massive defections, report Alfred Wasike and Alex Odongo.
Otema said on Wednesday, “Kony has started to quietly promote and appoint some of his loyal commanders to higher offices to deter them from surrendering.â€
“Kony has promoted Odhiambo from colonel to major general and appointed him new army commander, while Col. Ocan Bunia, the commander of the LRA Gilva Brigade has been promoted to brigadier. Col. Raska Lukwiya has been promoted to major general,†Otema told a press conference, which was also addressed by Kolo at Gulu barracks.
“Kony cautions each and every commander whom he promotes not to tell the others of their promotion and new appointments for fear of causing confusion and defections,†Otema said.
He said the rate at which the LRA commanders and fighters were surrendering before the declaration of the ceasefire by the President late last year was high but drastically reduced when Kony began secretly promoting them.
“Before the ceasefire was declared late last year, the rate of LRA defections was over 200 per month, with many guns recovered but as soon as the ceasefire was declared to give way to Mrs. Betty Bigombe to make contact with the rebels, the rate of defections drastically dropped to about only two per week,†Otema added.
He said the LRA had lost the capacity to attack any single displaced people’s camp or raid food stores and other areas in southern Sudan and northern Uganda.
He said the UPDF was hunting for rebel remnants in southern Sudan.
Ends
THE LRA rebels have got more time to seek a peaceful resolution of the northern conflict with the Government.
President Yoweri Museveni has extended the 18-day ceasefire that was due to expire today. The new ceasefire will end on February 22 at 7:00pm.
The UPDF northern-based Operation iron fist intelligence coordinator, col. Charles Otema Awany, said over Radio mega FM on Thursday that the president had directed the army to observe the ceasefire to allow other LRA commanders to emulate the example of their spokesman, Brig. Sam Kolo, who surrendered on Wednesday.
He said the peace talk zone was still free of military operations and encouraged rebels to assemble there and wait for the government peace team to sign the peace talk memorandum.
“His Excellency, the President of Uganda, directed us not to put military pressure on Kolo and Vincent Otti unless they enter our ambush since they are interested in a peaceful resolution of the conflict,†Otema said.
He urged other LRA commanders to surrender instead of waiting for the peace talks.
Otema said military operations would continue in other parts of southern Sudan and northern Uganda against defiant LRA commanders and fighters who do not want to talk peace.
Meanwhile, the LRA rebel chief, Joseph Kony, is promoting his field commanders to halt the massive defections, report Alfred Wasike and Alex Odongo.
Otema said on Wednesday, “Kony has started to quietly promote and appoint some of his loyal commanders to higher offices to deter them from surrendering.â€
“Kony has promoted Odhiambo from colonel to major general and appointed him new army commander, while Col. Ocan Bunia, the commander of the LRA Gilva Brigade has been promoted to brigadier. Col. Raska Lukwiya has been promoted to major general,†Otema told a press conference, which was also addressed by Kolo at Gulu barracks.
“Kony cautions each and every commander whom he promotes not to tell the others of their promotion and new appointments for fear of causing confusion and defections,†Otema said.
He said the rate at which the LRA commanders and fighters were surrendering before the declaration of the ceasefire by the President late last year was high but drastically reduced when Kony began secretly promoting them.
“Before the ceasefire was declared late last year, the rate of LRA defections was over 200 per month, with many guns recovered but as soon as the ceasefire was declared to give way to Mrs. Betty Bigombe to make contact with the rebels, the rate of defections drastically dropped to about only two per week,†Otema added.
He said the LRA had lost the capacity to attack any single displaced people’s camp or raid food stores and other areas in southern Sudan and northern Uganda.
He said the UPDF was hunting for rebel remnants in southern Sudan.
Ends