KAMPALA, Uganda – The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has sent a peace declaration to the Ugandan government, but are asking that the ICC indictments against rebel leader Joseph Kony and three of his top commanders.  The chief rebel negotiator and legal advisor have asked for the Ugandan government’s help in securing a UN Security Council 12-month renewable suspension of the indictments.   

Kony and his commanders are wanted by the ICC for the alleged war crimes of killing civilians, hacking off limbs and kidnapping children to use as soldiers.  Analysts agree that a peace deal will be difficult until the warrants are lifted.  The government, however, insists that it will only ask for the ICC to drop the indictments if the LRA signs a comprehensive peace agreement to end the two decades of fighting. 

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: Help Us On ICC Warrants, LRA Asks Ssekandi – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: Rebels ‘Ready to Make Peace’ But Want ICC Charges Dropped – 2 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: LRA Negotiators Arrive in Kampala – 1 November 2007