Kony hints on Otti’s death
Jan 22, 2008
THE LRA leader, Joseph Kony, has for the first time given an indication that he killed his former deputy, Vincent Otti.
By Justin Moro and Chris Ocowun
THE LRA leader, Joseph Kony, has for the first time given an indication that he killed his former deputy, Vincent Otti.
“If Museveni arrests or kills somebody or one of his commanders, then you the Acholi, or Ugandans, what say do you have in it? What happened was within the LRA camp,†Kony said on the Gulu-based Mega FM yesterday.
“Whatever happened to Otti is an internal matter and it will not jeopardise the current peace talks.â€
He compared Otti’s fate to that of former SPLA leader John Garang.
“Garang died during the Sudan peace negotiation but the process went on,†Kony said through a satellite link from his hideout in Garamba, eastern Congo.
The elusive rebel chief, who has fought a brutal two-decade war against the Government, was responding to a question about Otti’s fate.
The New Vision first broke the story that Kony had killed Otti in a power struggle and over disagreements regarding the peace talks. Defectors from the rebels’ camp have since confirmed the killing.
Asked if it was safe for the IDPs to go home, Kony suggested it was not safe because what forced them into the camps was not yet solved.
“Even me, I cannot come back to Uganda and settle in my home village now if the comprehensive peace agreement is not yet signed and endorsed by credible witnesses.â€
He denied allegations that the LRA was carrying out fresh recruitment.
THE LRA leader, Joseph Kony, has for the first time given an indication that he killed his former deputy, Vincent Otti.
“If Museveni arrests or kills somebody or one of his commanders, then you the Acholi, or Ugandans, what say do you have in it? What happened was within the LRA camp,†Kony said on the Gulu-based Mega FM yesterday.
“Whatever happened to Otti is an internal matter and it will not jeopardise the current peace talks.â€
He compared Otti’s fate to that of former SPLA leader John Garang.
“Garang died during the Sudan peace negotiation but the process went on,†Kony said through a satellite link from his hideout in Garamba, eastern Congo.
The elusive rebel chief, who has fought a brutal two-decade war against the Government, was responding to a question about Otti’s fate.
The New Vision first broke the story that Kony had killed Otti in a power struggle and over disagreements regarding the peace talks. Defectors from the rebels’ camp have since confirmed the killing.
Asked if it was safe for the IDPs to go home, Kony suggested it was not safe because what forced them into the camps was not yet solved.
“Even me, I cannot come back to Uganda and settle in my home village now if the comprehensive peace agreement is not yet signed and endorsed by credible witnesses.â€
He denied allegations that the LRA was carrying out fresh recruitment.