Ugandan Peace Talks progressing well ....

The Good News is .....

Peace talks between the Lords Resistance Army and the Ugandan Government continue, a 2 week break has allowed rebels to consult with family members and community leaders. The Ugandan government agreed to allow LRA leader Joseph Kony's mother and other family members to travel to his base in DR Congo to visit. They further allowed an Acholi delegation of religious, cultural and political leaders to make the trip and visit with the LRA high command. The delegation met with Kony and the high command over the weekend.
Yesterday, in a rare press appearance, Kony addressed the media and said he wants a ceasefire in order to finalize a peace deal with the government.

Government has been reluctant to do this, claiming that a ceasefire must be part of a comprehensive peace settlement. However, the government has welcomed Kony's truce offer and is optimistic that talks with the rebel leader can succeed.

The security situation in northern Uganda has improved as a result of the peace talks. During the month of July, there were very few raids and no noted killings. Only three abductees were detained. However, the three were female and were likely taken to become sex slaves for the rebels. Thus, though numbers of attacks are low, the suffering of the region persists.

The Bad News is ......

In March, the White House announced that ending the war in northern Uganda by the end of 2006 was a priority of the Bush Administration. Yet, as historic peace talks to end the war continue, Administration officials have not sent a delegation to monitor negotiations. The Administration has made not yet made any statement in support of the historic talks. The ambivalence of U.S. government officials toward the negotiations could undermine this crucial opportunity

To hold the US leaders accountable, a 2006 Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium, will be held October 9-10 in Washington D.C.

These intention of these 2 days will bring together advocates and activists across the country to unite for northern Uganda.

The symposium on the 9th will bring together leading scholars and advocates on the issue to discuss new policy solutions. Senior UN officials, top diplomats, peace mediators, academics, religious leaders have been invited.

More information is available here at Ugandan Conflict Action Network