UPC appeals to ICC over LRA chief
Mar 29, 2008
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has appealed to the International Criminal Court to immediately suspend its indictments against Uganda rebel Joseph Kony and his commanders to save the peace talks.
By Moses Mulondo
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has appealed to the International Criminal Court to immediately suspend its indictments against Uganda rebel Joseph Kony and his commanders to save the peace talks.
The Uganda Government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) delegations are set to sign a final peace agreement on April 5, 2008. But the LRA rebel leader, recently said he cannot come to Juba for fear of ICC indictments and warrants of arrest are suspended.
“It is the only way you can instill confidence and trust in the LRA rebels. No rebels can accept to sign such a peace agreement when safety for their life is not guaranteed,†UPC president Miria Obote told journalists yesterday in a statement read by the deputy secretary general Chris Opoka.
“This is the only way to go. We kindly request the ICC to reconsider its stand to save the process without which it is destined to flop,†Obote argued.
Obote informed ICC that they would re-instate their warrants of the arrest if the peace agreement is not implemented.
“But at this moment when the process is progressing, there is no justification for ICC’s indictments. That is when even courts of law give bails to suspected criminals,†she explained.
Chris Opoka lectured the ICC that the peace process is the most feasible method of ending the insurgency.
“Even if Kony and his commanders were arrested, the circumstances that produced them may give birth to a new breed of rebels like them. That is why the peace process, which provides alternatives for reconciliation is the best that should be supported by all,†Opoka said.
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has appealed to the International Criminal Court to immediately suspend its indictments against Uganda rebel Joseph Kony and his commanders to save the peace talks.
The Uganda Government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) delegations are set to sign a final peace agreement on April 5, 2008. But the LRA rebel leader, recently said he cannot come to Juba for fear of ICC indictments and warrants of arrest are suspended.
“It is the only way you can instill confidence and trust in the LRA rebels. No rebels can accept to sign such a peace agreement when safety for their life is not guaranteed,†UPC president Miria Obote told journalists yesterday in a statement read by the deputy secretary general Chris Opoka.
“This is the only way to go. We kindly request the ICC to reconsider its stand to save the process without which it is destined to flop,†Obote argued.
Obote informed ICC that they would re-instate their warrants of the arrest if the peace agreement is not implemented.
“But at this moment when the process is progressing, there is no justification for ICC’s indictments. That is when even courts of law give bails to suspected criminals,†she explained.
Chris Opoka lectured the ICC that the peace process is the most feasible method of ending the insurgency.
“Even if Kony and his commanders were arrested, the circumstances that produced them may give birth to a new breed of rebels like them. That is why the peace process, which provides alternatives for reconciliation is the best that should be supported by all,†Opoka said.