Frank Nyakairu & Agencies
23 February 2008
Kampala — The Lord's Resistance Army rebels and the Uganda government signed another agreement yesterday in their tortuous peace process, prompting the U.N. envoy for the conflict to predict a final settlement to the 21-year conflict to be reached soon.
"I regard this document as the biggest pillar for the irreversibility of peace in Uganda," Mozambique's former president Joaquim Chissano said after the signing of a pact to implement "comprehensive solutions" to the two-decade conflict. "A final deal could come "within the next week," he said.
In a stormy peace process that began in mid-2006, the LRA negotiators walked out of talks on Thursday but came back on Friday morning after pleas from South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar, who has been mediating the talks.
The government delegation spokesman confirmed Friday's breakthrough and said he expected the last two stages of the five-point peace process - to set up a permanent ceasefire and demobilise rebels - would be completed in days.
"These two stages are very technical and we might spend two or three days negotiating over them, and sign the final peace agreement in this coming week," Capt. Chris Magezi said.
The rebels dropped their earlier demands for five Cabinet posts and cash rewards. Instead, the agreement talked of an equal opportunities policies. "In recognition of the Constitutional obligation to reflect the National Character, the government in making public appointments shall ensure commensurate representation of the people from the conflict-affected areas," the agreement said.
"The government shall continue to ensure that the composition of the armed forces and other security agencies reflects the national character; including regional and gender diversity," it added.
The agreement puts the decision on LRA's earlier demand for recognition of LRA military ranks in government's hands. "The government shall assess the experience and rank of former LRA combatants and integrate into the armed forces or other security agencies any combatants who are willing to join," it reads in part.
The implementing protocol of the agenda item two of the talks spells out how parties will put the agreement into action. The agreement marks the end of the first three stages of a five-stage peace process.
Since July 2006, the Uganda Government and the LRA have signed a cessation of hostilities, comprehensive solutions and reconciliation and accountability deal'. Those remaining are ceasefire and DDRR (Disarmament Demobilisation, Repatriation and Reintegration.)
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), expected to be signed next week, will combine all the five stages and spell out a date when the rebels will lay down their weapons.
The war devastated northern Uganda, killed tens of thousands, and became infamous for the brutal methods of LRA rebels, including abduction of children and mutilation of victims.
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