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Museveni Protests Over Kony's Sudanese Haven

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
June 25, 2004
Posted to the web June 25, 2004

By Chris Ochowun And Justin Moro
Kampala
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed defence minister Amama Mbabazi to
protest the presence of LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony and his fighters within
the Sudan government forces-controlled area.
Army commander Lt. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima told reporters at Gulu airfield on
Tuesday that Museveni ordered Mbabazi to write to his Sudanese counterpart over
the matter.
Aronda Nyakairima had just received the first batch of 15 LRA abductees who
were flown in from Juba in Sudan.
He said Museveni's orders followed intelligence reports that Kony had crossed
the red line and was hiding near the Sudanese Armed Forces bases.
"Museveni has ordered the minister f or defence to write to the Sudanese
government asking them to attack Kony and his fighters who are hiding near
their army bases. The protocol does not allow us to attack the LRA near the
Sudanese army bases," he said.
Aronda said many rebels were surrendering in southern Sudan due to the UPDF
pressure, and were starving.
He thanked Khartoum for bringing back the former abductees who defected to the
army in Sudan.
The abductees were part of the 37 flown to Gulu airfield from Juba by Eagle Air
facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration.
Former rebel commander Maj. Jackson Acama led the abductees.
World Vision officials and Acholi religious leaders were present to receive
them.
Juba-based Toto Chan Trauma Centre director Jim Long John accompanied the
returnees.

   

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