New Group Lobbies for U.S. Support as Uganda Peace Talks Set to Resume Today

WASHINGTON D.C. – Historic peace talks to end the 21-year war in northern Uganda are expected to resume today when then the parties meet in Juba, South Sudan, but will most likely not succeed without renewed investment from the U.S. and international community.

 

"Greater engagement by the U.S. would build confidence and hold the parties accountable to the peace process," said Michael Poffenberger, Executive Director of Resolve Uganda, a new U.S.-based organization advocating for the international leadership necessary to end the crisis.

Peace negotiations between the Government of Uganda and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) began in July 2006. In August, a breakthrough ceasefire agreement brought relative calm to the region for the first time in years. Approximately 300,000 of the 1.8 million people displaced by the crisis have been able to return home. After a several-month suspension, talks are set to resume today and will include discussion of issues of accountability and reconciliation.

While these topics are believed to be the most complicated on the agenda, they are crucial to the success of the negotiations. At the end of 2005, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its landmark first arrest warrants for the top five LRA leaders. The Ugandan government has promised to seek revocation of these indictments, but only when a comprehensive agreement is reached and the LRA has threatened to resume fighting if the warrants are not withdrawn.

"More than any policy position, it has been mistrust that has threatened to derail peace talks," said Peter Quaranto, Resolve Uganda senior researcher. "Both sides fear that the other is somehow manipulating the process to their advantage."

Local and international advocates have been urging for increased involvement by the international community, especially the U.S., given its strong influence in the region. "We are not advocating a U.S. takeover of the negotiations, but rather U.S. support for the African leadership of the talks. By sending a senior diplomat to Juba, the U.S. could bring much-needed attention to the talks, and be available to help at the discretion of the mediation team," said Poffenberger. "It is unacceptable that such a historic opportunity for peace in the region has been largely ignored by senior Administration officials."

Resolve Uganda recently launched a campaign to help "Give Peace a Chance" in northern Uganda and is working with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to press the State Department to send a senior-level diplomat to Juba. Last week, thousands of Americans wrote their representatives, calling for such action. By uniting thousands of concerned citizens and a coalition of human rights, faith-based and humanitarian organizations, Resolve Uganda is pressuring U.S. political officials to seize this opportunity to help end Africa's longest running war.

In the coming weeks and months, Resolve Uganda will continue working to transform international neglect into leadership needed for lasting peace in northern Uganda. Visit www.ResolveUganda.org.