26 August 2007
editorial
The Central African Republic's (CAR) President has been in town this past week making curious noises about his country's willingness to help Uganda contain the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
President Francois Bozize's offer is double-edged. On the one hand it reflects the Great Lakes Conference's view on fighting illegal armed groups that continue to foment mayhem in the region, while on the other hand it could be perceived in some quarters as being unnecessarily belligerent.
Granted, the LRA may still pose a security threat to Uganda and other countries in the Great Lakes but it is also a fact that we are in the middle of a peace process that holds the greatest hope yet for peaceful resolution of this long-running conflict.
It is important to remain focused on the likely dividends that may accrue from resolving this calamitous issue over the table. Indeed, President Yoweri Museveni correctly remarked at the Thursday media conference, which the two leaders addressed, that "talks are a simpler way of solving the problem".
This, however, must not be taken by the rebels to mean that they are free to drag the process on for as long as it suits them.
Remember that the Juba process is largely informed by the acknowledgement across the board that thousands of Ugandans and south Sudanese must no longer be held hostage by this conflict.
Accordingly, the parties to the talks are encouraged to desist from taking any position that is likely to scuttle or otherwise jeopardise the peace process.
President Bozize's offer "to do something" if the LRA crossed to the CAR notwithstanding, Ugandans should insist on their government sticking with this process.
Internal Affairs minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, has already done a commendable job in leading the government side in Juba. Dr Rugunda, has ably maintained a firm but non-belligerent stance -- at least from what the reports out of Juba say. This has helped inspire confidence in the LRA team who are no doubt in a delicate position, considering the persisting shadow of the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments having over their principles.
We think this is not the time to be making ambiguous statements. Return peace to northern Uganda, a region that has already paid a very high price, let alone the drain on national resources resulting from financing Uganda's military expedition. No one should toy with the idea of missing the historic opportunity that Juba presents.
All parties must instead focus on answering the LRA leaders' continuing questions about the ICC indictments as these remain the most prominent stumbling block to signature of a comprehensive peace agreement.
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