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Museveni Revokes LRA Safe Haven

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
April 20, 2003
Posted to the web April 20, 2003

By John Muto-Ono P'lajur
Kampala
President Yoweri Museveni on Friday directed the army to resume operations in
Lapul sub-county, Aruu County in Pader district so as to stop the Lord's
Resistance Army (LRA) rebels from using the area as a safe haven from where
they carry out atrocities on civilians.
On 10 March the president, through the Minister of Internal Affairs and
chairman of the Presidential Peace Team Eriya Kategaya, said the government had
directed the UPDF to cease operations in Lapul as a way of encouraging the LRA
to start meaningful talks.
But on Friday, he reversed this offer saying, "In this period, the LRA has
killed 64 innocent people, injured 60, abducted 192, carried out 19 ambushes
and burnt six vehicles, in gross violation of a ceasefire they claimed to have
declared.
"The LRA has arrogantly rejected the offer to use Lapul 'safe zone' for
peaceful encounters, while at the same time refusing to state its preferred
alternative venues" in a statement aired on MEGA FM.
Presidential Peace Team members Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh and Woman MP for Pader
Santa Okot read the statement that was recorded at the radio in the presence of
External Security Organisation chief David Pulkol.
President Museveni, however, asked LRA leader Joseph Kony to choose another
location to be used as a safe haven and inform goverment.
He suggested Kadomera-Apyeta bridge Palabek-Waligo area in Lamwo County in
Kitgum district, Akilok Game Reserve north of Namokora east of Madi Opei in
Kitgum District and the areas north of River Nyimur along the Sudan border.
"The LRA can, therefore, not be allowed to abuse the offer of a safe zone or
use any other trickery to plan and execute more murder and terror against the
people of northern Uganda.
Clearly, the UPDF cannot extend the 'safe zone' any more much as it would
appear desirable because it would be pandering to the LRA's impunity of killing
while claiming to be ready to talk," the president said.
The statement pledges government commitment to work with the Amnesty Commission
and other NGOs/stakeholders on the rehabilitation and resettlement of LRA
returnees and to remain open to peace negotiations.

   

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