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Uganda: MPs Split Over South African Troops Mission
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The Monitor (Kampala)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 25 March 2008
Yasiin Mugerwa
Kampala
THE planned deployment of an African Union force in northern Uganda has drawn mixed reactions from MPs, mainly those from the affected areas.
While some legislators have welcomed the proposal, others questioned the basis of the deployment, claiming the international community "neglected" the people of northern Uganda for over 20 years.
"We don't want any foreign troops on our soil," Mr Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, (FDC, Obongi) said. "In any case, where was the international community when our people were being killed, raped and abducted with impunity?"
But Mr Reagan Okumu, (FDC, Aswa) - the vice chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group, said, the government should welcome foreign troops as part of the wider efforts to consolidate the peace process in northern Uganda.
"We have all along demanded foreign intervention to help our people achieve peace," Mr Okumu said. "To us, this is an opportunity for our people to have permanent peace. These South Africans are welcome because we need them and we should not pretend."
The reactions follow reports that the South African Cabinet had approved the deployment of some members of its National Defence Force (Sandf) as part of AU force to northern Uganda.
Quoting a government spokesperson, Mr Themba Maseko, Buanews, a South African news agency, on Thursday said the move was intended to stabilise the region, plagued with violence for two decades.
Talking about the need for foreign troops in northern Uganda, Mr Livingstone Okello-Okello (UPC, Chwa Country) said: "This is important because we have been "crying" for peace-keepers all along. This will be crucial to the fair implementation of the Juba peace process," Mr Okello-okello said.
Although; Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, the state minister for Defence, said the government was not aware of the deployment, Mr Isha Otto (UPC, Oyam South) warned that any deployment of foreign troops in northern Uganda would be regarded as an "invasion" and would be resisted by the people of northern Uganda.
"This is an invasion of our country," Mr Otto said. "Who requested for these troops?. This is not a threat, but as leaders of northern Uganda, we are not aware of these troops and if they are coming they should know that they are not welcome."
He added; "They left us to suffer and when there is relative peace they now want to be seen working for the people. We cannot be ambushed. Our people should be consulted on this matter."
But Mr Akbar Godi, (FDC, Arua Municipality), insists there is need for a neutral force to monitor the peace process.
"It's pointless for us to pretend as if we don't need help. Our people have suffered enough and the time is now to talk and preserve peace because there is no turning back," Mr Godi said.
Northern Uganda has suffered from civil unrest since the early 1980s.
Thousands of people have been killed in the LRA rebellion against the government, and an estimated 400,000 left homeless. Several others were raped and children, women and men forced into captivity.
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With the current relative peace in the region, the government is encouraging people to return to their homes as peace talks continue in Juba. The final peace agreement is expected to be signed before end of this month.
These MP northerners need to wake up and smell the coffee. The NRM government has willfully and deliberately left you for dead; and they are proud about it too. Lets put it this way: after 22 years and counting any help is better than no help. My advice: take the offer.
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