Secret letter riled LRA
Sep 28, 2006
THE Government has written a confidential letter to Southern Sudan president Salva Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar, accusing the LRA of violating terms of the peace talks.
By Vision Reporter
THE Government has written a confidential letter to Southern Sudan president Salva Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar, accusing the LRA of violating terms of the peace talks.
Impeccable sources revealed yesterday that during a meeting at the presidency in Juba on Monday, the government team handed Machar a letter detailing ‘actions and omissions’ of the LRA that amounted to violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA).
The letter accused the LRA of continued hostile propaganda. It also accused LRA leader Joseph Kony of ordering his commanders to leave assembly points, re-arming and the dysfunction of the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT).
“Apart from these orders being contrary to the agreement, they tend to confirm our earlier suspicion that LRA isn’t interested in the peace process and confirms our belief that LRA uses such opportunity to prepare, organise and execute more atrocities,†the source quoted the letter as saying.
When the LRA announced it had quit the talks, its delegation chairman, Martin Ojul, hinted at a document the government team gave Machar but had been denied a copy. Separate sources said this riled the LRA and implemented their Saturday threat of quitting the talks.
“He (Machar) had also wanted us to give our document to him and not read it to the plenary. We said whatever document each party brings is for all parties. But we have not seen the government document. Why?†Ojul said.
A session for all parties was expected to start at 5:30pm at Juba Raha, whose key agenda was expected to be the new development that threatened what has been touted as the best chance to end Africa’s longest rebellion.
The document, quoting government intelligence sources, stated that the LRA commanders and fighters who had assembled or were travelling to assembly points had got fresh orders from Kony to take divergent routes.
The government team complained that up to now no information had been given whether the LRA had assembled and how many fighters had reached the designated points, Owiny-Kibul and Rikwangba.
“There is information that elements of LRA check in at the assembly area, pick food and leave. That sheds doubt on LRA’s intentions,†the letter said, adding that LRA fighters are now moving from the east to west, a direction that leads to no assembly area.
The document stated that Kony instructed LRA commander Okuti to remain in Sudan, east of the River Nile.
Caesar Achelam (who has been heading the LRA fighters assembling at Owiny-Kibul) was ordered to join others in Garamba and is now moving westwards, attempting to cross the Nile.
Meanwhile, Kweyolo is supposed to remain in Uganda and indicted Dominic Ongwen is expected in Ituri Province in DR Congo.
The letter said while article Two of the CHA prohibited hostile military and media propaganda, LRA second-in-command Vincent Otti and delegation spokesman Obonyo Olweny violated the provision unabated.
“Otti said the LRA was in position to overthrow the elected government of Uganda. Apart from that being a violation of the agreement, these statements don’t help the peace process,†the source quoted the letter as warning.
The letter also protested that one month after the signing of the agreement, the LRA never complied with article Nine, which demanded that each party sends two representatives to the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT).
However, a day before the September 25 letter was handed over, the LRA named Michael Anywar, Ray Achama and Dennis Okirot as representatives on the CHMT.
The Government team lamented in the letter that “LRA’s non-compliance had made it difficult to monitor alleged violations, to be investigated and reported.†To the consternation of the Government team, the source said, no violation had been reported by the CHMT.
The letter quoted media reports that the rebels had showcased new weapons in Garamba to visiting journalists and members of the CHMT.
“The LRA cannot have new rifles unless there’s someone supplying them,†the source said.
THE Government has written a confidential letter to Southern Sudan president Salva Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar, accusing the LRA of violating terms of the peace talks.
Impeccable sources revealed yesterday that during a meeting at the presidency in Juba on Monday, the government team handed Machar a letter detailing ‘actions and omissions’ of the LRA that amounted to violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA).
The letter accused the LRA of continued hostile propaganda. It also accused LRA leader Joseph Kony of ordering his commanders to leave assembly points, re-arming and the dysfunction of the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT).
“Apart from these orders being contrary to the agreement, they tend to confirm our earlier suspicion that LRA isn’t interested in the peace process and confirms our belief that LRA uses such opportunity to prepare, organise and execute more atrocities,†the source quoted the letter as saying.
When the LRA announced it had quit the talks, its delegation chairman, Martin Ojul, hinted at a document the government team gave Machar but had been denied a copy. Separate sources said this riled the LRA and implemented their Saturday threat of quitting the talks.
“He (Machar) had also wanted us to give our document to him and not read it to the plenary. We said whatever document each party brings is for all parties. But we have not seen the government document. Why?†Ojul said.
A session for all parties was expected to start at 5:30pm at Juba Raha, whose key agenda was expected to be the new development that threatened what has been touted as the best chance to end Africa’s longest rebellion.
The document, quoting government intelligence sources, stated that the LRA commanders and fighters who had assembled or were travelling to assembly points had got fresh orders from Kony to take divergent routes.
The government team complained that up to now no information had been given whether the LRA had assembled and how many fighters had reached the designated points, Owiny-Kibul and Rikwangba.
“There is information that elements of LRA check in at the assembly area, pick food and leave. That sheds doubt on LRA’s intentions,†the letter said, adding that LRA fighters are now moving from the east to west, a direction that leads to no assembly area.
The document stated that Kony instructed LRA commander Okuti to remain in Sudan, east of the River Nile.
Caesar Achelam (who has been heading the LRA fighters assembling at Owiny-Kibul) was ordered to join others in Garamba and is now moving westwards, attempting to cross the Nile.
Meanwhile, Kweyolo is supposed to remain in Uganda and indicted Dominic Ongwen is expected in Ituri Province in DR Congo.
The letter said while article Two of the CHA prohibited hostile military and media propaganda, LRA second-in-command Vincent Otti and delegation spokesman Obonyo Olweny violated the provision unabated.
“Otti said the LRA was in position to overthrow the elected government of Uganda. Apart from that being a violation of the agreement, these statements don’t help the peace process,†the source quoted the letter as warning.
The letter also protested that one month after the signing of the agreement, the LRA never complied with article Nine, which demanded that each party sends two representatives to the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT).
However, a day before the September 25 letter was handed over, the LRA named Michael Anywar, Ray Achama and Dennis Okirot as representatives on the CHMT.
The Government team lamented in the letter that “LRA’s non-compliance had made it difficult to monitor alleged violations, to be investigated and reported.†To the consternation of the Government team, the source said, no violation had been reported by the CHMT.
The letter quoted media reports that the rebels had showcased new weapons in Garamba to visiting journalists and members of the CHMT.
“The LRA cannot have new rifles unless there’s someone supplying them,†the source said.