allAfrica.com * Northern Legislators Tell Govt, LRA to Reconsider Peace Talks The Monitor (Kampala) NEWS 24 June 2008 Posted to the web 24 June 2008 By Risdel Kasasira Sheila Naturinda and Grace Matsiko The Greater North parliamentary Association, a grouping of about 90 members of Parliament from the five war-affected sub-regions has urged the government and rebel Lord's Resistance Army not to resume war. During a press conference at Parliament yesterday, the MPs from Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamoja and West Nile regions appealed to the government and the LRA to resume peace talks that collapsed on April 10. The Chairperson of the Association, Mr Okot Ogong (Dokolo, NRM) said: "It's unfortunate, the government of Uganda and LRA are already sounding drums of war again, yet it is possible to be patient," he said. The talks between the government and the LRA collapsed after rebel chief Joseph Kony refused to sign the final deal in April, saying he needed to study more the alternative justice system under which he and his indicted commanders would be tried. Mr Ogong singled out President Yoweri Museveni who threatened to "crush" the LRA rebels in his June 5 State of the Nation address. "The President and some UPDF commanders have been clear on this (threatening war). The LRA have also been threatening (war) because we hear they have been moving down south. It's better to talk peace than war," he said. Ubongi MP Hassan Fungaroo said people in West Nile are now living in fear after recent reports of LRA movements towards Sudan-Uganda border. He said UPDF detaches in the area have also moved and deployed near the border in preparation for the likely attack. "I came back from the constituency three days ago and what I can tell you is that the army have deployed heavily near the border," he said. Katakwi District woman MP, Jessica Alupo blamed LRA for their laxity to expedite the peace talks. "The talks should not be open ended. The LRA have to know that the talks can not go on forever," she said. She said the Greater North Parliamentary Association might soon "seek an audience" with the president who is also the commander-in-chief of the UPDF to discuss the looming conflict "if the situation warrants." The MPs also requested the government development agencies to continue rehabilitation of the region that has experienced war for the last 20 years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2008 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quantcast