SUDANESE Vice-President designate Dr. John Garang De Mabior said in Kampala yesterday that he had given permission to the UPDF to continue hunting for Kony’s LRA rebels inside Southern Sudan.
By Felix Osike SUDANESE Vice-President designate Dr. John Garang De Mabior said in Kampala yesterday that he had given permission to the UPDF to continue hunting for Kony’s LRA rebels inside Southern Sudan.
“The government of Uganda has already asked the government of Sudan for an extension. The Sudan government had a good sense to say that things are not like before — you also ask the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement).
President Museveni telephoned me and asked me for the no- objection from us and we have already given the no-objection,†Garang said.
He was speaking at a public lecture on the landmark Sudan peace agreement and its challenges for the future in Kampala yesterday.
The lecture, organised by the Pan African Movements, was attended by defence minister Amama Mbabazi.
There was tight security by the Presidential Guard Brigade and mobile phones were not allowed in the hall.
Garang said 2005 would mark a new era of peace and development in Sudan and pledged to help return peace to northern Uganda.
“We want to be more pro-active and do everything possible within our power that will help bring peace in northern Uganda,†he said.
Under the peace agreement signed in Nairobi, Kenya on January 9, Garang will be the first Vice-President of Sudan, which will remain one country for a six-year transitional period. After that, the south will have the option of separating from the mainly Arab north in a referendum in 2011.
Garang said if the agreement does not unite Sudan, other options like splitting the country may be considered.
“We plan to tarmack the road from Nimule to Juba to connect to Gulu in northern Uganda. This could be a four-lane highway. We also plan to build a railway line from Juba through Yei to Kaya to connect to Pakwach,†he said. Ends