Kony may not sign pact in person
THE Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) might sign the final peace agreement in the absence of rebel leader Joseph Kony.
By Henry Mukasa
and Brenda Chipo
THE Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) might sign the final peace agreement in the absence of rebel leader Joseph Kony.
The chief government negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, told journalists on Saturday at the Media Centre in Kampala that the Government team would not object to credible LRA representation.
“The position of the Government is that we want to see Kony signing. But in the unlikely event that he is sick or had an unexpected problem or failed to cross a river to come for the signing, the peace process will continue.
“The signing of the agreement will continue as long as there is an authentic person authorised by the LRA.â€
Rugunda was responding to a question on whether the absence of Kony, who is reported to have left his hideout in DR Congo and entered the Central Africa Republic (CAR), would not affect the signing of a peace deal.
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is expected between today, when parties converge in Juba and not later than Friday, when the sixth extension of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA) expires. Rugunda said the Government had no plans to renew the CHA.
Rugunda, who is also the Minister of Internal Affairs, attempted to water-down the absence of Kony in Juba, South Sudan at the ceremony. He said the role of individuals at the peace talks should be downplayed just like a football team like Arsenal or SC Villa honours its next fixture when one key player is injured.
The minister explained that for every agenda item, a pact has been signed without Kony in Juba and that did not invalidate them. He said the talks should not be tagged to peripheral issues.
“The CHA was signed when Kony was not in Juba but he ordered his fighters to leave the North, which they did. The critical point is, does LRA accept this? If there is an authentic representative, we shall sign. The Government will accept that position.â€
On reports that Kony had migrated to the CAR and linked up with a Chadian rebel group allegedly supported by Khartoum, international relations minister Okello Oryem said that would be handled by the regional.
“We are not directly in touch with the CAR government. The presence of Kony there is not a question of Uganda versus LRA.
“It’s an issue of the security in the Great Lakes region. The matter is now handled by the pact on security, stability and development in the region signed in Nairobi in 2006.â€
The agreement to deal with negative forces (rebels) in the region was signed on December 15, 2006 in Nairobi by 11 presidents, including CAR’s Francois Bozize.
Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki is the chairman of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region.
and Brenda Chipo
THE Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) might sign the final peace agreement in the absence of rebel leader Joseph Kony.
The chief government negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, told journalists on Saturday at the Media Centre in Kampala that the Government team would not object to credible LRA representation.
“The position of the Government is that we want to see Kony signing. But in the unlikely event that he is sick or had an unexpected problem or failed to cross a river to come for the signing, the peace process will continue.
“The signing of the agreement will continue as long as there is an authentic person authorised by the LRA.â€
Rugunda was responding to a question on whether the absence of Kony, who is reported to have left his hideout in DR Congo and entered the Central Africa Republic (CAR), would not affect the signing of a peace deal.
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is expected between today, when parties converge in Juba and not later than Friday, when the sixth extension of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA) expires. Rugunda said the Government had no plans to renew the CHA.
Rugunda, who is also the Minister of Internal Affairs, attempted to water-down the absence of Kony in Juba, South Sudan at the ceremony. He said the role of individuals at the peace talks should be downplayed just like a football team like Arsenal or SC Villa honours its next fixture when one key player is injured.
The minister explained that for every agenda item, a pact has been signed without Kony in Juba and that did not invalidate them. He said the talks should not be tagged to peripheral issues.
“The CHA was signed when Kony was not in Juba but he ordered his fighters to leave the North, which they did. The critical point is, does LRA accept this? If there is an authentic representative, we shall sign. The Government will accept that position.â€
On reports that Kony had migrated to the CAR and linked up with a Chadian rebel group allegedly supported by Khartoum, international relations minister Okello Oryem said that would be handled by the regional.
“We are not directly in touch with the CAR government. The presence of Kony there is not a question of Uganda versus LRA.
“It’s an issue of the security in the Great Lakes region. The matter is now handled by the pact on security, stability and development in the region signed in Nairobi in 2006.â€
The agreement to deal with negative forces (rebels) in the region was signed on December 15, 2006 in Nairobi by 11 presidents, including CAR’s Francois Bozize.
Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki is the chairman of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region.