United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Friday welcomed the offer of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to negotiate with the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) to try to peacefully resolve their conflict in the countrys north and east, two days after the Security Council condemned the rebel groups atrocities against civilians.
In a statement Mr. Annan urged the LRA to “refrain from any further acts of violence against civilians and to respond positively to President Musevenis call for dialogue.”
Calling on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Ugandans affected by the 18-year conflict, the Secretary-General expressed particular concern about its impact on children. – All efforts must now be made to ensure a rapid and definitive end to the violence in the area, he stated.
Mr. Annans statement is a response to President Musevenis announcement on Wednesday reiterating his offer to talk with the LRA, either directly or through intermediaries.
On the same day, a press statement issued by the Security Councils President for April, Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany, said such crimes as abductions, sexual violence and sexual exploitation “should not remain unpunished.”
The statement followed a private briefing on Uganda from the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, who later told reporters that “a major humanitarian emergency” was unfolding in the African country.
– I would say this is perhaps the most under-reported story in the world today, he said. – Because where else would there be 10.000 kidnapped children in the course of only 18 months who have been terrorized into becoming killing machines, terrorized into attacking their own villages, killing their own relatives?
Kilde: FNs Nyhedstjeneste
