The LRA has carried out over 10,000 deaths in Uganda over the past twenty years. In northern Uganda, more than one million people have been displaced by the conflict and have been forced to settle in refugee camps. Furthermore, over 75,000 people have been abducted by LRA forces in the past two decades of insurgency.
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have initiated a peace deal with the Ugandan government in an attempt to settle a 20-year conflict. These discussions are part of a five-part peace process in attempt to end the civil war. These deals will promote “alternative justice mechanisms” to achieve reconciliation and justice.
Martin Ojul, head of the LRA delegation in Sudan, stated “We signed the agreement on reconciliation and accountability late last night, which moves us one step closer to a final peace agreement.”
Under the deal, the government and the rebels will support the use of the Ugandan justice system to combat human rights abuses. Rebels favor the use of Ugandan courts to protect suspected criminals from international search warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Furthermore, they favor local justice because it less severe and will help to effectuate national reconciliation.
Nevertheless, the ICC has issued arrest warrants against LRA leader Joseph Kony, and his deputy commander Vincent Otti. Moreover, warrants have been issued against two senior rebels for mass murder, mutilation and for the use of child soldiers in the 20-year war.
For more information, please see:
AllAfrica – Uganda: 75,000 LRA Abductees Missing, Says Report – 02 July 2007
Reuters – Uganda, Rebels Agree Local Justice for War Crimes – July 2007
BBC – Uganda Rebels in New Peace Move – 30 June 2007
