Kampala — THE government peace delegation will be ready next week to resume talks with the LRA team in Juba, South Sudan.

"The date is not finalised yet," the chief negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said yesterday.

But sources in Juba and Kampala disclosed that the talks are likely to resume on Wednesday.

Rugunda said he hoped the changes in the composition of the LRA team and the confirmation by LRA leader Joseph Kony that he killed his deputy Vincent Otti would not affect the pace of the talks. Otti was seen as the prime force behind the LRA's engagement in the talks.

"Each team has the right to choose its side. They have exercised that right," Rugunda said.

Kony replaced the LRA delegation chairman, Martin Ojul, with Nyekorach Matsanga. He also dropped the spokesman, Godfrey Ayoo and member, Otim Okullu. They were replaced a few days after Ojul handed over a report on the countrywide consultations on accountability and reconciliation.

Commenting on the team. the deputy head of the government delegation, Okello Oryem, said: "The important thing is that they be people who Kony has confidence in and can negotiate without consulting him on everything."