LRA rifts worry bishops
Nov 28, 2007
THE Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has expressed fear that the rifts within the LRA ranks could weaken the search for peace in northern Uganda.
By Chris Kiwawulo
THE Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has expressed fear that the rifts within the LRA ranks could weaken the search for peace in northern Uganda.
The council noted that reports on the conflict between rebel leader Joseph Kony and his deputy, Vincent Otti, had caused anxiety among Ugandans.
In a joint statement released yesterday, the Christian leaders appealed to the rebel leadership to quickly resolve the rift, if the peace process was to progress and end smoothly.
The UJCC chairperson, Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga and his co-chairpersons, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi and Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, signed the statement.
The council requested Kony to clear rumours that he had killed Otti. There have been reports that Kony executed Otti after accusing him of conspiring with his enemies to kill him.
UJCC, however, commended the Government and the LRA for the considerable progress made at the talks.
“The most notable achievements include the successful negotiations that have resulted into the signing of the protocols on agenda items 1 to 3, dealing with cessation of hostilities, comprehensive solutions and reconciliation and accountability,†they observed.
The council asked the Government to refrain from its planned joint offensive against the negative forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that the attack could undermine the talks.
Quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the Christian body urged the parties not to look at their interests only but also those of others for peace.
They warned that if the spirit of reconciliation that has characterised the Juba peace process was abandoned, history would at the appropriate time harshly judge all those who destroyed the talks.
UJCC also asked the LRA consultation team to review and consider a 31-page framework on reconciliation and peace in northern Uganda that they had drafted.
The framework is based on the issue of alternative justice other than the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC indicted the top five LRA top commanders, including Kony, for crimes against humanity.
In their framework, UJCC argues that any settlement of the conflict that ignores fundamental concerns of the people of northern Uganda, who are the primary stakeholders, is doomed to fail.
THE Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has expressed fear that the rifts within the LRA ranks could weaken the search for peace in northern Uganda.
The council noted that reports on the conflict between rebel leader Joseph Kony and his deputy, Vincent Otti, had caused anxiety among Ugandans.
In a joint statement released yesterday, the Christian leaders appealed to the rebel leadership to quickly resolve the rift, if the peace process was to progress and end smoothly.
The UJCC chairperson, Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga and his co-chairpersons, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi and Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, signed the statement.
The council requested Kony to clear rumours that he had killed Otti. There have been reports that Kony executed Otti after accusing him of conspiring with his enemies to kill him.
UJCC, however, commended the Government and the LRA for the considerable progress made at the talks.
“The most notable achievements include the successful negotiations that have resulted into the signing of the protocols on agenda items 1 to 3, dealing with cessation of hostilities, comprehensive solutions and reconciliation and accountability,†they observed.
The council asked the Government to refrain from its planned joint offensive against the negative forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that the attack could undermine the talks.
Quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the Christian body urged the parties not to look at their interests only but also those of others for peace.
They warned that if the spirit of reconciliation that has characterised the Juba peace process was abandoned, history would at the appropriate time harshly judge all those who destroyed the talks.
UJCC also asked the LRA consultation team to review and consider a 31-page framework on reconciliation and peace in northern Uganda that they had drafted.
The framework is based on the issue of alternative justice other than the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC indicted the top five LRA top commanders, including Kony, for crimes against humanity.
In their framework, UJCC argues that any settlement of the conflict that ignores fundamental concerns of the people of northern Uganda, who are the primary stakeholders, is doomed to fail.