North elders, LRA discuss justice
May 07, 2008
LRA envoys on Tuesday met elders and leaders of the war-affected northern region and government officials to discuss the stalled peace talks. The major issues on the table were the traditional justice system (mato oput) and the special division of High Court to be set up to try the rebels for war cr
By Milton Olupot
LRA envoys on Tuesday met elders and leaders of the war-affected northern region and government officials to discuss the stalled peace talks. The major issues on the table were the traditional justice system (mato oput) and the special division of High Court to be set up to try the rebels for war crimes.
The mato oput and the special court are provided for in the accountability and reconciliation aspect which forms part of the final peace agreement expected to be signed by the Government and the LRA.
The workshop, which ended yesterday at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, was in preparation for another meeting due on Saturday between elders and local leaders of the north and LRA chief Joseph Kony.
The chief mediator and South Sudan Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, is expected to accompany the delegation to Ri-Kwangba on the border of South Sudan and DR Congo which is the venue of the signing of the final peace agreement.
Aliro Omara of the Uganda Human Rights Commission told journalists that the workshop was to empower the emissaries to explain the thorny issues to Kony and give him confidence that the Government had no ulterior motives in the peace process.
On April 10, Kony failed to show up at Ri-Kwangba to sign the peace pact. He said he needed clarification on the traditional justice system, the UN court and the special court.
The ICC has issued warrants of arrest against Kony and some of his top commanders
Omara said the leaders discussed the linkage between mato oput for lesser crimes and the special court to try serious crimes like human rights abuses, to replace the UN court process.
Traditional justice provides for voluntary confessions, reconciliation and compensation.
“Investigations into the crimes committed by the rebels must be carried out by an impartial body under the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. A law to define the powers and composition of the prosecution will be enacted,†he stated.
The Principal Judge, James Ogoola, told the seminar that the Judiciary had adequate personnel and resources to handle the prosecution
“We are only waiting for Parliament to pass the relevant laws and the signing of the final peace agreement.â€
“We must come up with simple interpretations, which Kony will understand and instill confidence in him to sign,†noted Acholi Paramount Chief (Rwot) Onen Acana II.
The leader of the LRA peace delegation, Dr. James Obita, refuted reports that Kony had been injured in a clash with his men.
Similarly, he dismissed talk that Kony had killed his second-in-command, Okot Odhiambo.
LRA envoys on Tuesday met elders and leaders of the war-affected northern region and government officials to discuss the stalled peace talks. The major issues on the table were the traditional justice system (mato oput) and the special division of High Court to be set up to try the rebels for war crimes.
The mato oput and the special court are provided for in the accountability and reconciliation aspect which forms part of the final peace agreement expected to be signed by the Government and the LRA.
The workshop, which ended yesterday at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, was in preparation for another meeting due on Saturday between elders and local leaders of the north and LRA chief Joseph Kony.
The chief mediator and South Sudan Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, is expected to accompany the delegation to Ri-Kwangba on the border of South Sudan and DR Congo which is the venue of the signing of the final peace agreement.
Aliro Omara of the Uganda Human Rights Commission told journalists that the workshop was to empower the emissaries to explain the thorny issues to Kony and give him confidence that the Government had no ulterior motives in the peace process.
On April 10, Kony failed to show up at Ri-Kwangba to sign the peace pact. He said he needed clarification on the traditional justice system, the UN court and the special court.
The ICC has issued warrants of arrest against Kony and some of his top commanders
Omara said the leaders discussed the linkage between mato oput for lesser crimes and the special court to try serious crimes like human rights abuses, to replace the UN court process.
Traditional justice provides for voluntary confessions, reconciliation and compensation.
“Investigations into the crimes committed by the rebels must be carried out by an impartial body under the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. A law to define the powers and composition of the prosecution will be enacted,†he stated.
The Principal Judge, James Ogoola, told the seminar that the Judiciary had adequate personnel and resources to handle the prosecution
“We are only waiting for Parliament to pass the relevant laws and the signing of the final peace agreement.â€
“We must come up with simple interpretations, which Kony will understand and instill confidence in him to sign,†noted Acholi Paramount Chief (Rwot) Onen Acana II.
The leader of the LRA peace delegation, Dr. James Obita, refuted reports that Kony had been injured in a clash with his men.
Similarly, he dismissed talk that Kony had killed his second-in-command, Okot Odhiambo.