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Anti-Iraq War Sentiments Cause Usa to Change Stance On LRA

African Church Information Service
NEWS
February 24, 2003
Posted to the web February 25, 2003

By Crespo Sebunya
Kampala
The groundswell of anti-Iraq war sentiments in Uganda is having ramifications
on USA's perception of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group operating
in northern Uganda.
US ambassador to Uganda, Jimmy Clocker, now says dialogue with LRA is
necessary. He is doubtful that Uganda Peoples' Defence Force (UPDF) would be
able to protect thousands of people displaced in LRA controlled areas.
The ambassador also wants a clear amnesty call that would leave no fears of
revenge once rebels surrender.
The statements mark a turnaround in opinion. In 2001, US put LRA on a list of
terrorist organisations, and granted Uganda US$ 3 million to fight Joseph Kony,
the leader of LRA.
Ambassador Clocker, said that judging from the Iraq debate in Kampala, it
appears Kampala was nearer to Baghdad than Gulu district in northern Uganda,
where LRA has been launching its attacks. Majority of Ugandans, in opinion
polls here, were against US invasion of Iraq.
A planned anti-Iraq war demonstrations organised by non-governmental
organisations was put off at the eleventh hour on February 18, after police
warned organisers that they would be held responsible for any utterances that
would upset relations between Uganda and the US.
The demonstrations were to involve at least 20 organisations.
Nevertheless, they still issued an unsigned statement condemning US government
for being a security risk. They said US pro-war attitude could spark an arms
race among developing countries to guard against being bullied by the super
power.
That no organisation pegged its name on the statement underlines fears of
serious consequences to any civil group that would explicitly express anti-Iraq
war opinion.
US's change of stance in Uganda coincides with that of the European Union (EU),
whose officials said in Kampala that they were willing to sponsor dialogue
between LRA and the government.

   

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