Juba peace talks resume today
Jan 29, 2008
THE peace talks between the Government and the LRA will resume today in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
By Henry Mukasa
and Barbara Among
THE peace talks between the Government and the LRA will resume today in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
The head of the Ugandan delegation, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, yesterday told journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala that both parties would work for a faster process.
Rugunda, who will lead his delegation to Juba this morning, added that the cessation of hostilities agreement would be extended past the January 31 deadline.
“We signed addendum No. 4 to our cessation of hostilities agreement that ends two days from now (Thursday). When we resume the peace talks in Juba, the Government’s plan is to renew the agreement for a limited period of time,†Rugunda said.
The renewal of the agreement will mean that the January 31 ultimatum, which President Yoweri Museveni announced for the peace deal to be reached, can pass.
Under the truce pact, the rebels led by Joseph Kony were supposed to assemble at Ri-Kwangba and in Owiny-ki-Bul, both in South Sudan, but they are still in their Garamba National Park hideout in Congo.
Rugunda downplayed the effect of the memorandum of understanding between Uganda and the DR Congo on the peace talks.
The two countries agreed that Kony and his fighters should come out of their hideout by January 31.
Rugunda described the President as a law-abiding citizen who is conscious of the agreements his delegation signs in Juba.
Rugunda, who is also the Minister of Internal Affairs, added that the tripartite-plus army chiefs meeting, which demanded the implementation of the January 31 deadline, was just an indicator of the cooperation among member-countries against negative forces.
“We are happy that there is cooperation among the countries of the region and MONUC a UN force.â€
International affairs minister Henry Okello Oryem warned people intending to meet Kony in Garamba that the Government could not guarantee their safety.
“Those who choose to go to Ri-kwangba should go with caution. The Government cannot guarantee their security and well being at this moment,†Oryem said.
and Barbara Among
THE peace talks between the Government and the LRA will resume today in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
The head of the Ugandan delegation, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, yesterday told journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala that both parties would work for a faster process.
Rugunda, who will lead his delegation to Juba this morning, added that the cessation of hostilities agreement would be extended past the January 31 deadline.
“We signed addendum No. 4 to our cessation of hostilities agreement that ends two days from now (Thursday). When we resume the peace talks in Juba, the Government’s plan is to renew the agreement for a limited period of time,†Rugunda said.
The renewal of the agreement will mean that the January 31 ultimatum, which President Yoweri Museveni announced for the peace deal to be reached, can pass.
Under the truce pact, the rebels led by Joseph Kony were supposed to assemble at Ri-Kwangba and in Owiny-ki-Bul, both in South Sudan, but they are still in their Garamba National Park hideout in Congo.
Rugunda downplayed the effect of the memorandum of understanding between Uganda and the DR Congo on the peace talks.
The two countries agreed that Kony and his fighters should come out of their hideout by January 31.
Rugunda described the President as a law-abiding citizen who is conscious of the agreements his delegation signs in Juba.
Rugunda, who is also the Minister of Internal Affairs, added that the tripartite-plus army chiefs meeting, which demanded the implementation of the January 31 deadline, was just an indicator of the cooperation among member-countries against negative forces.
“We are happy that there is cooperation among the countries of the region and MONUC a UN force.â€
International affairs minister Henry Okello Oryem warned people intending to meet Kony in Garamba that the Government could not guarantee their safety.
“Those who choose to go to Ri-kwangba should go with caution. The Government cannot guarantee their security and well being at this moment,†Oryem said.