B Odongo, P Okino and C Lubangakene
5 January 2009
Kampala — THE Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony will be killed if he attempts to cross into northern Uganda, Oyam LC5 chairman Rtd. Col. Charles Okello Engola has warned.
He was speaking to journalists last week at Lira Hotel. Okello described Kony as an evil man who should only be dealt with using force.
He said: "My new year message to Kony is that he should sign the final peace agreement."
"I am in my military fatigue ready to lead the battle against Kony if he crosses to Uganda," Okello added. He vowed to help the army to fight the rebels in case they returned.
Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan forces launched a joint military attack on the LRA hideout in Garamba National Park in an attempt to end the war in northern Uganda.
The offensive, code named operation Lightning Thunder started after Kony refused to sign the peace agreement.
Engola was one of the Government delegates in the Juba peace talks. He said, the military offensive against the LRA should continue.
"War should continue alongside negotiation but the cessation of hostility agreement should not be renewed," he said.
Meanwhile, Moroto resident district commissioner Nahaman Ojwee has said Kony should stop manipulating the Government and the people of the north.
He was reacting to media reports that the LRA leader had asked for a ceasefire. "He has been given a ceasefire for two and half years but he has not taken it seriously," Ojwee said.
"He would be enjoying better life in the International Criminal Court than the mosquitoes he is experiencing in the bush," he added. "In luo we say, Gwok mwodo cogo kun geno ngwinye (A dog eats bones because it is sure of its anus). Let him dance to the tune because he started the rebellion as a god," Ojwee said.
"Some people say the operation is killing innocent people in the rebel captivity but it is better to kill the few in the bush so that the many that are out here are saved. When some one is suffering from cancer, the affected part is removed and life is saved," Ojwee added.
He blasted the LRA peace team leader, Nyekorach Matsanga, saying he wanted to get rich from the war. However Gulu woman member of parliament Betty Aol Ocan said: "It is not only Kony demanding for a ceasefire. The Acholi leaders also want a peaceful end to the rebellion."
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