Prior U.S. Action on the Crisis (continued)
2008
US Senate letter to Ugandan President regarding reconstruction and reconciliation in northern Uganda
In September 2008, seven influential US Senators wrote a letter to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda asking about the plan for reconstruction and reconciliation in northern Uganda and pledging US support for those efforts.
U.S. statement in support of peace process, calls for protection of civilians from LRA
In June 2008, the United States condemned the recent LRA attacks on Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Army forces at Nabanga, Sudan, and elsewhere, as well as the LRA's abductions and other abuses of innocent civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and southern Sudan.
U.S. statement urging LRA to show commitment to peace by signing FPA
In April 2008, the United States called on the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) to demonstrate its commitment to a peaceful and permanent resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda by signing the Final Peace Agreement (FPA).
U.S. statement urging signing of Final Peace Agreement for northern Uganda
In March 2008, the U.S. State Department issued a major press statement urging the Ugandan government and LRA to sign the Final Peace Agreement to end their 22-year war.
2007
Top U.S. Africa diplomat: Peace process is "critically important"
In late November 2007, speaking before Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's visit to the region, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa Jendayi Frazer said the Juba peace process is "critically important especially for bringing reconciliation to northern Uganda."
In a September visit to Uganda, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer said that the U.S. supports the Juba peace process. However, Frazer emphasized the need for strict timelines and said the U.S. would support efforts to "mop up" the rebels if talks fail. The same message was reiterated by Frazer at a Senate briefing on the Great Lakes conflicts in October.
U.S. Government statement supporting peace talks
In August 2007, the State Department released its latest statement on northern Uganda, expressing support for the ongoing peace talks. The statement reads, "The United States remains committed to justice and reconciliation; humanitarian, recovery, and redevelopment assistance to the people living in LRA-affected areas; and effective reintegration of former abductees and ex-combatants. We continue to support the mediation efforts of the Government of South Sudan, the efforts of UN Special Envoy Joachim Chissano, and the participation of the international observers to the process."
Appointment of Senior Diplomat for northern Uganda
In July 2007, responding to Congressional pressure, the State Department appointed Tim Shortley as Special Advisor for Conflict Resolution to focus primarily on peace in northern Uganda.
In June 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives followed the Senate, passing its own resolution in support of the ongoing peace talks. Like its Senate counterpart, the resolution urges "immediate and substantive support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and international community." It calls on the parties to refrain from violence and remain committed to a political solution.
USAID opens office in northern Uganda
Finally in June 2007, USAID opened an office in Gulu, northern Uganda to coordinate U.S. humanitarian assistance to the war-affected region. This was paralleled by an increase in U.S. assistance to the region throughout 2007.
U.S. Government support for Cessation of Hostilities
In April 2007, the State Department issues another press statement "welcoming" the resumption of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Ugandan government and LRA rebels. It further reads, "A durable peace agreement that puts an end to the 21-year old conflict and the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced northern Ugandans is vital to the region and to the future of Uganda."
Senate Resolution S. CON. RES. 16
On March 1, 2007, the Senate passed a resolution calling on the Government of Uganda and LRA to recommit to a political solution to the conflict in and to recommence peace talks, after negotiations had broken down. The resolution also urged "immediate and substantive support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and the international community."
U.S. Government statement on peace talks
On February 1, 2007, the U.S. Department of State issued a statement that expressed the U.S. government's appreciation of the efforts by the Government of Southern Sudan to mediate a peaceful resolution to the conflict in northern Uganda.
The full text of the statement is as follows: The United States appreciates the Government of South Sudan's (GOSS) efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to the 20-year old conflict with the Lord's Resistance Army. We have followed closely the many rounds of the GOSS-mediated talks to date in Juba. We are concerned that demands to change the mediator and venue of the talks will only delay peace in the region and further the suffering of displaced northern Ugandans. Our priority remains peace in northern Uganda. We continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons living in LRA-affected areas, promote reconciliation, and support the reintegration of former abductees and ex-combatants into their communities.
2006
U.S. Government statement on Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
On November 1, 2006, the State Department issued a statement welcoming the renewal of the original Cessation of Hostilities agreement signed by the Government of Uganda and LRA.
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act [pdf]
This bill was passed by Congress in the fall of 2006 and signed into law by President Bush on October 13, 2006. It calls for the appointment of a Presidential Envoy for Sudan to "provide stewardship of efforts to implement the Sudan North-South Peace Agreement" and "address instability [in northern Uganda], and pursue a truly comprehensive peace throughout the region."
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visits Uganda
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, visited Uganda in the summer of 2006 and held a press conference in which she outlined some of the United States' policy toward the crisis. Among other comments, she stated that U.S. priorities in relation to northern Uganda are bringing LRA leadership to justice, promoting reconciliation, and providing humanitarian assistance. Questions by reporters aimed at pinpointing the U.S. position on the negotiation process were avoided.
Senate Resolution S.RES.366 [pdf]
In February of 2006, the Senate passed Resolution 366, which called for increased attention to the crisis northern Uganda and designated a national week of prayer for its people. The resolution called on the United States and international community to "recognize the atrocities occurring daily in Uganda and provide necessary humanitarian assistance."
2004
Northern Uganda Crisis Response Act (S.2264)
Congress passed the Northern Uganda Crisis Response Act in the summer of 2004. Among other things, the bill calls on the Bush administration to support efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda, to work with the Ugandan government and the international community to provide humanitarian aid and development assistance, and to ensure that provisions are being made to guarantee the protection of internally displaced civilians. Senator Feingold (D-WI), an original sponsor of the bill, said, "This law signals the resolve of the United States to work with the Government of Uganda and the international community to address this crisis and to protect the innocent civilians who are suffering in the region."