The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army
(LRA) on Tuesday formalized cessation of hostilities as a step
closer to a final peace agreement to end the 20-year rebellion in
northern Uganda.
Maj. Felix Kulaigye, the spokesman of Uganda People's Defense
Force (UPDF), confirmed on Tuesday that President Yoweri Museveni,
the commander-in-chief of Uganda armed forces, has ordered UPDF to
stop hostilities against the LRA.
Local press reported that Vincent Otti, the second-in-command of
the LRA has ordered the rebel fighters to end all forms of
hostilities against civilians or the UPDF as well.
The directives follow the signing of the cessation of
hostilities agreement between the government and the LRA in Juba,
southern Sudan on Aug. 26.
According to the deal, the LRA would start assembling in two
zones in southern Sudan within three weeks.
The signing of the cessation of hostilities agreement was a
major breakthrough in the ongoing peace talks that started on July
14 in Juba, southern Sudan.
The latest peace attempt, brokered by southern Sudan, is seen as
another historic chance to end the insurgency, one of Africa's
longest conflicts.
The talks are scheduled to resume on Thursday after a four-day
break of consultations.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)
