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Govt, LRA Sign Pact on War Remedies

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
May 3, 2007
Posted to the web May 4, 2007

By Henry Mukasa
Kampala
THE Government and the LRA rebels made a significant step towards a final peace
agreement by signing point two on the agenda late on Wednesday night.
The agreement on 'Comprehensive Solutions to the causes of the War' was signed
before South Sudan information minister, Dr Samson Kwaje, who stood in for
chief mediator Dr. Riek Machar. Observers from Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa,
Tanzania and the UN witnessed the signing.
"The parties agree that members of the LRA who are willing and qualify shall be
integrated into the national armed forces and other security agencies in
accordance with subsequent agreements between the parties," the agreement
states.
The pact also provides protection for the rebel leaders once a final peace
agreement is signed. Subsequent agreements should specify the security measures
for LRA leaders, combatants and personnel during the transition from conflict
to peace.
It further emphasises the provisions in the Constitution regarding
participation in politics, national economic development, equal opportunities
and independence of the judiciary. It urges leaders to use unifying language
and the Government not to resort to arbitrary detentions.
In addition, the agreement calls for the strengthening of re-stocking
programmes, the "voluntary and dignified" resettlement of displaced persons and
the expeditious implementation of the Northern Uganda Peace, Recovery and
Development Plan.
The LRA made significant concessions by dropping its demand for a full
ministerial post, compensation for lost livestock, reparations for the losses
during the rebellion, curving out an assembly area for the LRA in the North and
a direct federal status.
"This agreement is very important. To me it deals with the heart of the
problem. We have addressed comprehensive solutions to the causes of the war,"
Kwaje said before the signing.
International Relations minister Henry Okello Oryem signed on behalf of
Government while Martin Ojul signed on behalf of the LRA.
"Today we have taken another great step towards peace in northern Uganda and
South Sudan," Oryem said. He told the congregation at Juba Raha Hotel, which
included traditional and religious leaders from the north, that during the
meetings the atmosphere was one of "frankness, openness and punctuated with
jokes."
"We pray that today marks a dawn in the way the peace talks are conducted and a
point of no return to violence," Oryem noted as he saluted the LRA for the
important step.
Ojul said the LRA was committed to finding a permanent, just and lasting
solution to the conflict.
"For us in the LRA we don't take rushed positions for the sake of pleasing
others. When we take a position, we respect it. By signing this agreement we
want to assure people at home that we shall leave no stone unturned to deliver
peace," he said.
The parties are now turning to the crucial third item on the agenda:
accountability and reconciliation.
It is expected that the LRA will try to minimise its portion of culpability of
crimes committed in the north and have the ICC indictments against four of its
leaders dropped.
The delegations are taking a one-week break as the LRA team wants to travel to
Ri-Kwangba to consult with their leaders.
Meanwhile, Chris Ocowun reports that the LRA deputy commander, Vincent Otti,
has condemned the ambush on Gulu-Nimule road, in which seven people were killed
and three trucks set ablaze, vowing to deal with the commander who led the
ambush.
Otti, who called Radio Mega on Wednesday morning, told the listeners: "We have
heard with great shock what happened between Bibia and Nimule on Tuesday. On
our side as LRA, we cannot deny nor take responsibility for the incident."
He said his commanders have denied responsibility. But I believe those who
attacked the vehicles could have sneaked from Owiny-Kibul, where there have
been clashes for the last four days. The commander who will be found guilty
will be dealt with in accordance with the LRA law."
For the first time, Otti was heard publicly telling his fighters to stop
ambushing and attacking civilians.
"I want to tell those LRA remnants who are in Uganda and in southern Sudan to
stop ambushing and attacking civilians who are trying to leave the IDP camps to
go back to their homes. You should not repeat such ambush. Ambushing and
killing, whether LRA or not, should be reduced."
He added that the incident should not stop people from returning to their
villages.


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