Uganda chases LRA rebels despite peace talks

GULU – The Ugandan army said yesterday it had resumed an offensive against Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in northern Uganda, complicating peace talks aimed at ending one of Africa’s most vicious wars.

But an army spokesman insisted that renewed operations to hunt down LRA fighters should not hinder negotiations in neighbouring south Sudan between the two sides. “Following the expiry of the cessation of hostilities requiring the rebels to assemble, we have resumed operations against LRA remnants in northern Uganda,” army spokesman Major Felix Kulayigye told Reuters.Any LRA fighters in northern Uganda who had failed to assemble at two locations under a truce that expired on Sept.19 would be “dealt with militarily”, he said.”This has nothing to do with the peace process which should continue.”In response, LRA deputy leader Vincent Otti told Reuters the LRA would defend themselves against any Ugandan UPDF army attack, but remained committed to the peace talks.Otti said there were still some rebels hiding out in remote areas of northern Uganda because poor communications meant they had not received orders to gather at the camps.”Those who are left in northern Uganda will not do any harm to the UPDF.They will not attack civilians, we will not ambush vehicles, but if the UPDF attacks us we will defend ourselves,” Otti said by satellite telephone from the bush near the Sudan-Congo border.Nampa-Reuters”Following the expiry of the cessation of hostilities requiring the rebels to assemble, we have resumed operations against LRA remnants in northern Uganda,” army spokesman Major Felix Kulayigye told Reuters.Any LRA fighters in northern Uganda who had failed to assemble at two locations under a truce that expired on Sept.19 would be “dealt with militarily”, he said.”This has nothing to do with the peace process which should continue.”In response, LRA deputy leader Vincent Otti told Reuters the LRA would defend themselves against any Ugandan UPDF army attack, but remained committed to the peace talks.Otti said there were still some rebels hiding out in remote areas of northern Uganda because poor communications meant they had not received orders to gather at the camps.”Those who are left in northern Uganda will not do any harm to the UPDF.They will not attack civilians, we will not ambush vehicles, but if the UPDF attacks us we will defend ourselves,” Otti said by satellite telephone from the bush near the Sudan-Congo border.Nampa-Reuters