Mr President, it’s time to talk peace
Jun 12, 2006
Following the historic meeting in May between the Sudanese delegation led by Southern Sudan Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and the LRA delegation led by Joseph Kony, the Southern Sudan leadership invited the LRA and the government of Uganda to Juba for peace talks mediated by the SPLM.
Following the historic meeting in May between the Sudanese delegation led by Southern Sudan Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and the LRA delegation led by Joseph Kony, the Southern Sudan leadership invited the LRA and the government of Uganda to Juba for peace talks mediated by the SPLM.
According to press reports, Sudanese Vice-President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayaardit delivered the invitation to President Museveni, and have also confirmed that the LRA delegation has arrived in Juba in preparation for peace the talks. This action by the LRA appears to show a new level of trust and commitment. We believe that it is important that the government of Uganda accepts the invitation of the government of Southern Sudan. In our humble submission, there are many tangible benefits for the Uganda delegation to be in Juba at this time.
lThe Juba meeting is important because it provides the forum for agenda setting and prioritizing of the peace process, taking into account what is urgent, what is feasible, and what is beneficial to all parties.
-This is a golden opportunity to begin dialogue between the government of Southern Sudan, government of Uganda, and the LRA on the post-war peace process and reintegration. The time is now to start looking ahead for a new era of progress for the affected people in the two countries.
-The war between the LRA and the government of Uganda has lasted 20 years. As a result, there are presently over 1.5million Acholi living under the most deplorable conditions in the IDPs. The infrastructure, culture, social services, educational services, health services, and economic activity in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader have regressed significantly compared to most of Uganda. As a country, Uganda cannot progress when a part of its people are despondent. The Acholi within and outside Uganda have joined the rest of the country in a united call for a peaceful resolution of this conflict so that those in the IDP camps can return home. This war has taken its toll, and peace is wanted urgently. The Juba meeting provides both a symbolic crossing of the bridge from war to peace as well as a concrete step toward the peace process itself.
-In all of this, we request that the government of Uganda take into consideration the great personal risk that Dr. Machar undertook in getting the LRA to the table at this time. By going to Juba, the Uganda delegation will acknowledge the tremendous time and effort already invested by the government of Southern Sudan and affirm President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayaardit and Dr. Machar’s unwavering search for a lasting peace in the region.
We, the undersigned, thank the SPLM leadership for their bold efforts in searching for a peaceful solution to the armed conflict. We also thank the LRA for calling for peace talks with the government of Uganda; and accepting the invitation from the SPLM to come to Juba and meet with Ugandan officials.
- Dr. Ben Omara Abe, Seattle,
Washington
Daudi Abe, Houston, Texas
- Dr. Ben Latigo, Washington, DC
- Dr. Richard Oloya, Canton, Ohio
- Opiyo Oloya, Toronto, Canada
According to press reports, Sudanese Vice-President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayaardit delivered the invitation to President Museveni, and have also confirmed that the LRA delegation has arrived in Juba in preparation for peace the talks. This action by the LRA appears to show a new level of trust and commitment. We believe that it is important that the government of Uganda accepts the invitation of the government of Southern Sudan. In our humble submission, there are many tangible benefits for the Uganda delegation to be in Juba at this time.
lThe Juba meeting is important because it provides the forum for agenda setting and prioritizing of the peace process, taking into account what is urgent, what is feasible, and what is beneficial to all parties.
-This is a golden opportunity to begin dialogue between the government of Southern Sudan, government of Uganda, and the LRA on the post-war peace process and reintegration. The time is now to start looking ahead for a new era of progress for the affected people in the two countries.
-The war between the LRA and the government of Uganda has lasted 20 years. As a result, there are presently over 1.5million Acholi living under the most deplorable conditions in the IDPs. The infrastructure, culture, social services, educational services, health services, and economic activity in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader have regressed significantly compared to most of Uganda. As a country, Uganda cannot progress when a part of its people are despondent. The Acholi within and outside Uganda have joined the rest of the country in a united call for a peaceful resolution of this conflict so that those in the IDP camps can return home. This war has taken its toll, and peace is wanted urgently. The Juba meeting provides both a symbolic crossing of the bridge from war to peace as well as a concrete step toward the peace process itself.
-In all of this, we request that the government of Uganda take into consideration the great personal risk that Dr. Machar undertook in getting the LRA to the table at this time. By going to Juba, the Uganda delegation will acknowledge the tremendous time and effort already invested by the government of Southern Sudan and affirm President and SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayaardit and Dr. Machar’s unwavering search for a lasting peace in the region.
We, the undersigned, thank the SPLM leadership for their bold efforts in searching for a peaceful solution to the armed conflict. We also thank the LRA for calling for peace talks with the government of Uganda; and accepting the invitation from the SPLM to come to Juba and meet with Ugandan officials.
- Dr. Ben Omara Abe, Seattle,
Washington
Daudi Abe, Houston, Texas
- Dr. Ben Latigo, Washington, DC
- Dr. Richard Oloya, Canton, Ohio
- Opiyo Oloya, Toronto, Canada