Henry Mukasa
15 June 2008
Kampala — THOUSANDS have marched in Sudan to protest against attacks by the LRA rebels, who have a base in Southern Sudan. The protesters marched to the Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State (WES), to the government premises brandishing banners condemning the LRA's continued presence in their state.
They chanted anti LRA slogans like: "The LRA feed on our blood!" and "Free us from the LRA!"
The LRA have for the past two years been in talks with the Ugandan government, but are yet to sign a final peace agreement.
The Yambio demonstration attracted people from all walks of life. It was seen as a powerful message to the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), regional powers and the international community.
On June 5 the LRA attacked an SPLA military base in Nabanga, killing people and burning houses. Similar attacks have been made in the past.
Southern Sudan vice-president Dr. Riek Machar, the chief mediator of the peace talks, has described preparations for a joint military offensive against the LRA by Uganda, Sudan and the DRC as premature.
Machar said he would pursue a final deal with rebel commander Joseph Kony. "Why give up when all that remains is a signature?" Machar said to Reuters.
After a cessation of hostilities agreement was signed, the LRA were allocated Ri-kwangba at the Sudan-DRC border as an assembly point. They have been commuting between that place and their DRC hideout in Garamba National Park.
Before the peace talks and during the negotiations, the LRA have attacked residents in WES, stealing food and kidnapping citizens to make them new recruits, porters and sex slaves.
The Sudan Tribune reported yesterday that the youth of WES presented a petition to the state governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba.
"Enough of the barbaric invasions of the so-called LRA. Enough of the blood shed of the people of WES," the petition said in part. It demanded that GOSS find another country to host the protracted talks.
Governor Kumba, in her remarks to large crowd, asked GOSS to take the demo as an eye-opener and take the issue of the LRA more seriously than ever. It was also urged to review its position as mediator between the LRA and the Uganda government.
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