Bwanika supports govt on ICC warrants

Jul 25, 2007

FORMER presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika has backed the Government’s refusal to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to lift the arrest warrants against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. Bwanika, the President of the People’s Development Party, argued that the warrants were

By Chris Ocowun

FORMER presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika has backed the Government’s refusal to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to lift the arrest warrants against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. Bwanika, the President of the People’s Development Party, argued that the warrants were a blessing because they forced Joseph Kony and his commanders to embrace the peace talks in Juba.

“Without the ICC, it would have been difficult to bring Kony, Otti and others on the negotiating table. It would be too early to advocate for the withdrawal of the warrants because this would see Kony and Otti off the bait,” Bwanika told journalists at Sunset Hotel in Gulu last Friday.

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni said the Government could only write to the ICC after a comprehensive peace agreement was signed.

Bwanika added that both the LRA and the Government should take responsibility for the insurgency. “We shall demand that Kony, Otti, their colleagues and the Government own their mistakes and apologise to Ugandans.”

Bwanika said he was touring the north to consult on the resettlement of the internally displaced people.

He urged the Government to probe the substandard resettlement kits that were given to the IDPs returning to their homes, adding that his party was demanding for the resignation of the disaster minister, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, over procuring fake seeds and farm implements.

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