「ICCの逮捕状は交渉の強みになる、和平交渉の政府代表」（2006年10月15日付けThe Monitor紙）より
Arrest Warrants for Kony Are a Boost to Juba Talks
By Emmanuel Gyezaho
Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda is the head of the Uganda government delegation to peace talks with the LRA rebels in Juba. He spoke to Emmanuel Gyezaho about the talks
The weather in Juba is not very friendly, how are you holding up?
The weather is not hostile at all, and it gets freshened up by the breezes from River Nile. You know, we stay by the banks of River Nile.
So you have the opportunity of enjoying a romantic view of the Nile and watch the sun as it rises and sets?
As and when we are able to look at it, especially when we are not busy with the tasks that have brought us here or when we have taken a break from the tasks.
It is exactly three months since the peace talks with the rebels commenced. What is your assessment so far?
Well, we want the talks to move much faster than they are doing. We wanted to have concluded the talks by this time. But the peace process has its own dynamics and characteristics, which have compelled the process to be slower than we want it to be. However, the process is making progress and we are working to make the process more expeditious.
Government has written to the International Criminal Court and insists that Joseph Kony and his indicted commanders must be apprehended. The rebels have vowed not to sign any peace deal unless the arrest warrants against their top leadership are dropped. Where does this leave the peace talks?
The ICC and us have been allies for a peaceful end to the conflict and bringing justice. We went to the ICC and lodged a case against the LRA. The indictments, which were issued after a thorough investigation by the ICC, are still in place. The indictments will remain in place until there is clear evidence that peace has been achieved and that the Mato Oput process has been carried out, that the people who have been in camps have gone back to their villages and that no impunity has been condoned.
It is only after that that government can meaningfully engage the ICC since the traditional alternative form of justice would have been used and consequently issues of impunity would have been dealt with. Only then will the ICC be able to review and take into account the new and positive developments in Uganda.
It is only after that that government can meaningfully engage the ICC since the traditional alternative form of justice would have been used and consequently issues of impunity would have been dealt with. Only then will the ICC be able to review and take into account the new and positive developments in Uganda.
