March 6, 2007:
Peace negotiations with the LRA
could recommence as early as March 7. The LRA had tentatively agreed to restart
peace talks with Uganda, in Sudan. This agreement to "return to Sudan"
represents a change in policy by the LRA. Ten days ago the LRA said that it would no longer conduct peace
negotiations in Sudan. After a recent attack on civilians inside Sudan, South
Sudan officials said that the LRA was not welcome. The Sudan government
later said that the LRA was still
invited to conduct peace talks in Sudan. The Acholi tribe in northern Uganda
has been consulted about the LRA peace talks. Apparently, the Acholi have put pressure on the LRA
leadership to continue with the peace talks.
The war in northern Uganda has hurt the Acholi tribe. The Acholi have suffered at the hands of both the LRA
and the Ugandan security forces. Many LRA members are Acholi, which has enabled
Acholi tribal leaders to contact the LRA
leadership and encouraging the LRA to
continue to pursue a peaceful, political solution to the civil war.
March 4, 2007: The head of the Ugandan military is
in Ethiopia. He will help coordinate the arrival of Ugandan peacekeepers in
Somalia. The Ugandan contingent will deploy 1605 soldiers. The peacekeeping
contingent's armored vehicles will be shipped by sea from the Kenyan port of
Mombasa to Mogadishu, Somalia.
February 28, 2007: The LRA said that it would not
renew the ceasefire which was due to expire on February 28. However, the LRA,
the Ugandan government, and mediators in Sudan all say that they are interested
in continuing the peace process.