LRA ambush UPDF in Juba
Dec 30, 2006
The army has accused LRA rebels of ambushing its liaison officer in Juba, Maj. Richard Otto, in what they call a violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
By Henry Mukasa
The army has accused LRA rebels of ambushing its liaison officer in Juba, Maj. Richard Otto, in what they call a violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The UPDF spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, took place 20km from Juba, on the Juba-Nisitu road, and 60km West of Owiny-ki-Bul, one of the assembly areas.
“Major Otto managed to fight his way through the ambush on his way from Juba to Aruu junction, wounding one of the rebels,†Kulayigye stated.
“These acts are another violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on August 26, which extended the deadline for the LRA to assemble twice.â€
The statement added: “The UPDF condemns these violations and urges the LRA to comply with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement so as to hasten the peace process.â€
The LRA peace delegation spokesman, Obonyo Olweny, described the UPDF claims as “absolute trash.â€
“They (UPDF) are the ones who have been attacking us. Let them not put up diversionary propaganda.
“They attacked Col. Oyero and today (Friday), there is fighting going on between the Jebelel and Lukoya mountains. They are using ground forces and armoured carriers… mambas. This is a serious violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement. If this government is interested in war let them not come back to Juba for peace talks,†Obonyo stated.
The chief government negotiator, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said the incident constituted another reason why the peace talks should be expedited.
“I condemn the ambush on Major Otto. This unfortunate incident constitutes an added reason for the parties to expedite the peace process,†Rugunda said.
The latest alleged ambush, together with the refusal of the LRA delegation to agree on item two on the agenda, solutions to the causes of the war, are casting another shadow on the peace-talks, which have been limping on for over four months.
In November, the LRA delegation suspended their participation in the talks, claiming UPDF had killed some of their fighters on their way to Owiny Ki-Bul assembly point. The allegations were later refuted by the monitoring team.
The army has accused LRA rebels of ambushing its liaison officer in Juba, Maj. Richard Otto, in what they call a violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The UPDF spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, took place 20km from Juba, on the Juba-Nisitu road, and 60km West of Owiny-ki-Bul, one of the assembly areas.
“Major Otto managed to fight his way through the ambush on his way from Juba to Aruu junction, wounding one of the rebels,†Kulayigye stated.
“These acts are another violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on August 26, which extended the deadline for the LRA to assemble twice.â€
The statement added: “The UPDF condemns these violations and urges the LRA to comply with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement so as to hasten the peace process.â€
The LRA peace delegation spokesman, Obonyo Olweny, described the UPDF claims as “absolute trash.â€
“They (UPDF) are the ones who have been attacking us. Let them not put up diversionary propaganda.
“They attacked Col. Oyero and today (Friday), there is fighting going on between the Jebelel and Lukoya mountains. They are using ground forces and armoured carriers… mambas. This is a serious violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement. If this government is interested in war let them not come back to Juba for peace talks,†Obonyo stated.
The chief government negotiator, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said the incident constituted another reason why the peace talks should be expedited.
“I condemn the ambush on Major Otto. This unfortunate incident constitutes an added reason for the parties to expedite the peace process,†Rugunda said.
The latest alleged ambush, together with the refusal of the LRA delegation to agree on item two on the agenda, solutions to the causes of the war, are casting another shadow on the peace-talks, which have been limping on for over four months.
In November, the LRA delegation suspended their participation in the talks, claiming UPDF had killed some of their fighters on their way to Owiny Ki-Bul assembly point. The allegations were later refuted by the monitoring team.