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Kony, Talk to Museveni

New Vision (Kampala)
EDITORIAL
April 17, 2004
Posted to the web April 19, 2004
Kampala
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni is ready to talk peace. In a letter to the media, he
has stated his willingness to talk to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels
directly or through intermediaries.
This is not only a bold statement but also an indication that the President is
bent on ending the war in northern Uganda.
Museveni's bid for talks follows the LRA chief, Joseph Kony's first ever
interview published in The Referendum. The interview reveals Kony's disinterest
in talks. He even dismisses Museveni's earlier peace overtures and boasts that
he has ordered his commanders to kill Museveni. By this, it's evident that Kony
is not bothered about peace talks.
Kony goes on to say: "Museveni cannot talk peace. He is a killer ... Museveni
wants me to talk to him on phone so that his spies can intercept the talks and
assassinate me. I will communicate to Museveni using the Holy Spirit." This
kind of behaviour obstructs peace talks.
Kony should give Museveni the benefit of the doubt. His mistrust of Museveni
should not be an excuse.
In the interim, Kony can appoint a committee to meet the government peace team
that is already in existence. Besides, he can send intermediaries to talk to
Museveni which is good enough.
Museveni needs support. He has put his position clear. All those who have been
pressing him to allow talks should now pressure Kony to respond. Short of that,
Government will have to continue employing the military option. Kony, his
fighters and collaborators have the opportunity to respond to Museveni's offer.
They should not waste time, a lot of lives have been lost in the senseless war.
Kony should re-think and sue for peace.

   

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