Chris Ocowun and Justin Moro
1 December 2008
Kampala — LEADERS in the north have expressed disappointment and frustration after LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony failed to sign the final peace deal on Saturday.
A 22-man delegation of religious and traditional leaders from the conflict-affected areas over the weekend travelled to Kony's hideout in Ri-Kwangba, South Sudan, for advance talks.
Late Sunday evening, LRA team leader David Matsanga said Kony had asked for more time saying he needed to be reassured of his safety following indictment by the International Criminal Court.
Yesterday, Gulu district chairman Norbert Mao said: "Kony should know that he will be judged by his conduct. He is confused."
He urged Kony to keep his word.
The Pader resident district commissioner, Santo Okot Lapolo, said: "The people of northern Uganda have now seen the truth because all along, they have been deceived and they were subjected to slavery of Kony. The Government has done its best and the world should now take over."
The Woman MP, Judith Franka Akello, however, said Kony should be given time to sign the peace deal.
"But if the Government thinks it can successfully attack and destroy his forces, let it go ahead."
The district speaker, Ray Okwir, said Kony is not committed to the talks.
"He is trying to buy time to organise and destabilise northern Uganda. He is working with external forces to derail the peace talks."
The vice-chairperson, Alfred Akena, said "The Government and other UN bodies should ensure that northern Uganda does not go back into turmoil.
Acholi leaders should stop going to him because it is becoming a tourism activity. Persuading Kony must stop. Force should be used against Kony to root him out of Garamba."
Kitgum chairperson John Komakech Ogwok said: "This peace process has dragged on for long with a lot of time and resources wasted."
The resident district commissioner, Alfred Omwony Ogaba, said he is not surprised that Kony failed to sign the agreement.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
