Peace for N. Uganda likely in near future
By Azam S. AhmedUNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published June 17, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Now is the most promising chance for peace in Northern Uganda after 19 years of war that has seen more than 20,000 children abducted and 1.6 million people displaced, according to the International Crisis Group.
"I think the day has arrived where all the pieces are in place for a peace agreement to be reached in Northern Uganda," said John Pendergast of the International Crisis Group in Washington.
The conflict is one of the most macabre Africa has seen. Children often as young as 7 -- are abducted, the boys to fight as soldiers and the girls to be sex slaves for the officers of the Lord's Resistance Army. The LRA is a rebel faction fighting a guerilla style war in the North against the government in the South.
Their leader, Joseph Kony, is an enigmatic figure fighting to impose the biblical law of the Ten Commandments over the entire country. The LRA has largely terrorized the Acholi people, a Christian sect living in the North. They raid the villages on the outskirts of cities, grabbing food and supplies. Those whom they consider traitors are subjected to torture -- ranging from rape to permanent physical disfigurement.
Newly abducted children are forced to kill other child ren who attempt to escape from the ranks of the LRA, and are often forced into battle without any weapons. Reports of the LRA cutting off the ears and noses of their victims are common.
The children of the targeted villages walk miles into cities every night to avoid kidnapping, gathering together and sleeping in lighted areas and in shelters set up by aid groups. As many as 14,000 children follow this routine daily. They are called the "night dwellers."
The U.N. Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, has called the 19- year conflict in the North of Uganda "a moral outrage," and has said the situation in the North is worse than Iraq. But recent developments in the region have opened a window of opportunity for peace and the dissolution of the LRA.
Over the past several months, Betty Bigombe, former minister of State in charge of pacification of the North, has been talking to the LRA and Kony about a peace arrangement.
This April, Kony and Bigombe had their most comprehensive talks. According to Pendergast, Kony indicated he was willing to meet and possibly commit to a peace process. Arrangements were made, but due to logistical problems, the meeting fell through.
Similarly in April, Kony and Bigombe agreed he would call a prominent Ugandan radio station, and over the airwaves declare his willingness to come to a peaceable agreement. Again due to logistical problems the call, which Kony made, was unable to be transmitted.
In light of these recent developments, Pendergast said now is the most critical time for resolving the conflict.
"We are at the fork in the road where if one fork is taken we can close down the deal by the end of the year," he said. "If the other one is taken then the only option would be to allow for military operations."
In March 2002, the military launched "Operation Ironfist," a campaign to root the LRA out of their Southern Sudan strongholds and end their attacks in the North. But as a result, the LRA settled back into Northern Uganda, and have continued to abduct children for their forces. According to Human Rights Watch, they have abducted some 5,000 children since June 2002.
The fear of a never-ending battle persists among the Northern communities and aid organizations. There is worry that if the military attacks on the LRA are not stalled, that the war will never end. The International Criminal Court is investigating the LRA for war crimes, with the possibility of handing out indictments to various senior officers, including Kony.
But this has concerned many of the native Acholi people. A delegation of Northern Ugandans visited The Hague this March to ask the ICC to halt its investigation, fearing this would dissuade LRA leaders from seeking amnesty.
But despite their fear, both the military action and the threat of ICC indictments have eroded the capacity of the LRA, and this, Prendergast said, is one of the clearest indicators that the time is now for peace.
"The LRA has a vastly weakened capacity to regenerate because of their reduced numbers, making the organization more officer heavy," he said.
With a higher dependence on officers, there have been many LRA defectors in recent months. These defectors have gone on the record to say now is the most opportune time for peace deal.
One officer was quoted as saying, "The material condition of the LRA community has deteriorated over 100 percent. We've lost a lot."
Another said: "If the government can give one quarter or one half of what it (the LRA) wants, there can be a deal."
But Gilbert Khadiagala, associate professor at John's Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, is skeptical. He said the peace initiative has not really achieved much.
"What is in place is the appearance of a peace process that has surfaced as a result of the military stalemate," he said.
Khadiagala said that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni prefers a military option to a peaceful resolution, and this has prese nted difficulty in the talks.
But Pendergast insists Museveni is open to discussions with the LRA, which must make its position known by showing seriousness in reaching a deal. He suggested the government outline a specific package for the LRA.
"Putting forth ideas will lead the LRA to come back with ideas if they're serious about peace. Presenting specifics could lead Kony to see the resolution at the end of the road," he said.
Pendergast also urged more direct conversations between Washington and Museveni.
"More direct engagement from Washington would provide him (Museveni) with a peace partner," he said. "The U.S. and other countries could help fulfill the potential for the peace process."
But Kha diagala said the use of International assistance should be reserved for the reconstruction of Northern Uganda, and not the workings of a peace deal. He described the North as a disaster zone, adding rebuilding the region should be the focus.
"The efforts and energy of the international community should be spared to deal with the enormous reconstruction process in Northern Uganda," he said.
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