A Confusing Peace Process

Since the Juba Peace Talks began, it's been a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows for some, while for others the process has been a nebulous and confused state of affairs. None of it has added up, and now, some say it has blown up, with the Ugandan government readying its troops to pursue the LRA, with the full support of the United States.

Two stories have appeared that add to the Peace Talks confusion. The first, from James Obita, a supposed former LRA spokesman affirms that the talks are still on.

"We feel that the talks have not collapsed," said Obita, speaking on the phone from the southern Sudanese town of Juba where the negotiations have been held. He said all that remained was the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, which rebel negotiators will work out with chief mediator Riek Machar, who is Southern Sudan's vice president.

Had this statement only appeared in Ugandan newspapers, perhaps sidelining such talk may have been appropriate, however, larger papers have picked up the story; adding an element of wonderment in terms of the new story line, the new narrative which is being created.

The second statement, comes from the chief mediator Dr. Riek Machar, who says:

"Why give up when all that remains is a signature?" said Machar, who chaired nearly two years of talks between Uganda's government and the Lord's Resistance Army guerrillas.

"It is too early."

Read more...

Lost in all the intrigue, propaganda and diplomatic ineffectiveness are the forced combatants, women and children with the LRA. A military option guarantees their demise. Musn't the international community act to defend the defenseless?

Is a peaceful surrender out of reach?


--XUG Editor

NAIROBI, Kenya: Talks to end one of Africa's longest rebellions have not failed, a Ugandan rebel official said Friday, a day after government officials said the peace process had collapsed.

Rebel negotiator James Obita told The Associated Press that he is confident Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony will sign a final peace deal, even though he questions some parts of the agreement. The deal has been ready for his signature since April.

"We feel that the talks have not collapsed," said Obita, speaking on the phone from the southern Sudanese town of Juba where the negotiations have been held. He said all that remained was the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, which rebel negotiators will work out with chief mediator Riek Machar, who is Southern Sudan's vice president.

Read the rest here...