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Kony Promises Not to Violate Agreement

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
15 May 2007
Posted to the web 14 May 2007

By Grace Matsiko
Juba
Lords Resistance Army rebel leader Joseph Kony has promised that he will not
violate the agreements his representatives at the peace negotiations in Juba,
have signed with the government.
Kony and his deputy, Vincent Otti while receiving a copy of the latest
agreement on Comprehensive Solutions to the Northern Uganda conflict, his team
signed with the government on May 5, called on President Yoweri Museveni to
meet part of his bargain to ensure the talks succeed.
"They (Kony and Otti) are totally committed and supportive of the agreement we
signed in Juba in an attempt to bring peace to the people of Uganda. Their
message is that they will keep their part of the bargain and called on the
government to keep theirs," LRA peace delegate, Godfrey Ayoo said last week
from Garamba, on the Sudan-DRC border when they met the LRA high command.
Under South Sudan government mediation, the LRA and the government signed the
second agreement, where the government agreed to provide protection to the LRA
leaders combatants and personnel during the transition from conflict to peace,
once a final agreement has been signed.
The agreement on Comprehensive Solutions handles issues of participation in
national politics, system of government, inclusiveness in participation in the
government, ensuring equal opportunities, participation in state institutions,
the judiciary, internally displaced persons, reconstruction of northern Uganda,
land and restocking of cattle in the war affected areas.
"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.
On land, the parties agreed that fair and equitable compensation shall be
payable in case of expropriation of land.
The LRA peace delegates, according to Ayoo, discussed with the LRA military
command the implications of the agreement and how it would be implemented.
According to another source, Kony after he was briefed in Acholi on the details
of the agreement said it was good for the LRA and the government.
"Kony said he will ensure that the LRA fighters don't violate the agreement and
that it should be on the side of the President to ensure he respects what his
team signed for the success of the talks," the source at Garamba said.
He said though Kony is ready to sign a comprehensive agreement with the
government, he is still fearful of the arrest warrants issued by the
International Criminal Court against him and his top commanders.
"The LRA is ready to stop fighting, but the UPDF have not stopped, they attack
our fighters in Owiny Ki-Bul, and the whole of Sudan," Kony reportedly
complained.
The source said the LRA delegates led by Martin Ojul said when they return to
Juba they will work out a memorandum of understanding with the government that
will streamline the operations of the Peace Secretariat and that pledges made
between both parties are fulfilled.

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