THE ECHO
NORTHERN NEWS EXTRA
For un-censored news from Northern Uganda
ISSUE No. 13
November/December 2004
Introduction�
As we reported in the last issue, moves towards finding a peaceful resolution to the Northern conflict appear to have gathered momentum. First it was the LRA, which declared a unilateral ceasefire, which has now lasted for more than 2 months. Then in November 2004, despite making numerous claims to the contrary, it emerged that the UPDF government had infact been making overtures to the LRA. According to the LRA spokesman the UPDF government delegation led by the former minister for the pacification of the North, delivered to them a clear and categoric message declaring that they now wished to talk peace.
That the two parties have come this far, is but for the limited pressure that the friends of the UPDF government have placed upon the military dictatorship. However before the long suffering people of Northern Uganda get to hope too much, it has to be recognised that we've been here before. As noted in our last issue, the 1994 peace negotiations infact progre
ssed so
far and yet still failed to deliver peace.
For the current rounds to prove any different two factors must come into play. Firstly, the UPDF government must be able /start to negotiate peace in good faith. In the past whilst the UPDF professed peace, it infact engaged in all sorts of plans for the elimination (killing) of the very opponents it was meant to be negotiating peace with. Secondly, there must be a strong third party guarantor. A guarantor with the clout such that if either party were to renege upon whatever was agreed, they would have the means to effect appropriate sanction (via the international community).
As many people in Northern Uganda would recall, it was the UPDF governments�s breach of the early 1990�s agreement with the UPDA rebel group (culminating in the killing of most of its opponent�s top leadership) that led to the formation of the LRA and which has ensured war continues in Northern Uganda to this day.
Anything short of these, would seem like a cruel joke on the long-suffering people of Northern Uganda.
In the meantime, life continues as normal in Northern Uganda with the UPDF continuing to pursue its war objectives and leaving behind a long trail of atrocities.
On this note and on behalf of the team, I welcome you to the 13th issue.
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