But Ndugu, there seems to be a carrot and stick situation here. Is government not giving with one hand and taking back with another?
There are no contradictions at all. Government went to the ICC because we were looking at a reasonable way of sorting out this matter. Having done that, we continued with the government's persuit of a peaceful end to the conflict. Because of the importance government attaches to resolving the matter, government has been pursuing a multi-pronged approach in order to bring an end to the conflict. We think these approaches are complimentary.
The ICC in our view is complementing the peace process and the peace process is helping the ICC with its work. They are mutually supportive and not contradictory.
The ICC in our view is complementing the peace process and the peace process is helping the ICC with its work. They are mutually supportive and not contradictory.
How do they compliment the peace process?
The ICC indictments have shown the LRA that the international community wants an end to the conflict and that it wants justice and that when you commit crime the international community will not just watch but will work with the national authorities to ensure that justice is done. Therefore ICC strengthens our common struggle against impunity and compliments our efforts to bring a peaceful end to the conflict.
My opinion is that the ICC indictments simply compliment this whole process of resolving the problem of northern Uganda.
My opinion is that the ICC indictments simply compliment this whole process of resolving the problem of northern Uganda.
What chances are left for a peaceful resolution of the northern conflict?
I think the chances are good.
But the talks are currently mired in a circus of generic proposals. In fact the talks have been relegated to a rhetoric battle with both parties trying to undo each other. When will this rhetoric materialise into tangible peace for northern Uganda?
The fact that there have been some sticky points, does not provide the acid test for the progress of the talks. The talks so far have scored tangible success and made palpable progress.
The fact that cessation of hostilities has been signed is very important. The fact that Lords Resistance Army members have surfaced from their hideouts in Uganda is very significant. The fact that they have moved out of Uganda is also very significant.
So these are some of the areas where there has been important progress. Of course there have been other weak areas.
But the talks are currently mired in a circus of generic proposals. In fact the talks have been relegated to a rhetoric battle with both parties trying to undo each other. When will this rhetoric materialise into tangible peace for northern Uganda?
The fact that there have been some sticky points, does not provide the acid test for the progress of the talks. The talks so far have scored tangible success and made palpable progress.
The fact that cessation of hostilities has been signed is very important. The fact that Lords Resistance Army members have surfaced from their hideouts in Uganda is very significant. The fact that they have moved out of Uganda is also very significant.
So these are some of the areas where there has been important progress. Of course there have been other weak areas.
Give examples
Like the fact that the rebels have moved away from Owiny-Ki-bul and have not assembled at Ri-Kwangba.
The Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring team has proposed an extension of the August 26 truce. Have the parties agreed to an extension?
That matter is in fact now being discussed.
We have to review the performance of the agreement so far and then agree on how to make the agreement perform better.
We have to review the performance of the agreement so far and then agree on how to make the agreement perform better.
Do you think the truce should be extended simply to give the rebels more time to assemble at Owiny-Ki-bul and Ri-Kwangba?
Really the key point is not a question of more time. It is not more time that the rebels need. We are currently reviewing why they left Owiny-Ki-bul and engaged in other confidence building measures.
Is the government in favour of an extension?
Definitely. The Cessation of hostilities agreement has come up and we want the cessation to continue. We do not want to see a resumption of hostilities. On the contrary we want to strengthen this agreement and graduate it into a ceasefire under a complete peace agreement that would end the conflict in a sustainable way. If you want, the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement is the first concrete step in that process of reaching a conclusive peace agreement.
