Christmas Ceasefire
Here is the latest from the BBC:
UGANDANS GET CHRISTMAS CEASEFIRE
Uganda's leader has extended a ceasefire in parts of the war-torn north until the end of December.
President Yoweri Museveni's decision comes despite the apparent opposition of the army.
The BBC's Will Ross in the capital, Kampala, says the ceasefire is intended to allow rebel commanders to meet ahead of possible talks with the government. The rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is notorious for abducting children to become sex slaves and fighters.
The 18-year conflict in northern Uganda has driven 1.6 million people into refugee camps and triggered what aid workers call one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.
Fragile
Since the latest peace efforts began a month ago, LRA commanders have held face-to-face meetings with traditional leaders in the presence of international observers.
We currently have a unique opportunity for peace in northern Uganda but recent statements threaten this
Emma Naylor, Oxfam
A former Ugandan minister is acting as a mediator in the peace process.
But our correspondent says there is a great deal of mistrust between the two sides - the government fears the LRA may use the time to regroup while the rebels fear that by assembling for talks they may be walking into a military trap.
He says the latest extension will be welcomed by those calling for peace talks and although the peace process is extremely fragile, at least it is still intact.
Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza had said on Thursday that he saw no reason to extend the ceasefire because the rebels had left the ceasefire zones, in northern Uganda and southern Sudan, to regroup their fighters and develop new military strategies.
British aid agency Oxfam warned that statements such as that by Maj Bantariza could threaten the peace process.
"We currently have a unique opportunity for peace in northern Uganda but recent statements threaten this.
"The international community must apply diplomatic pressure to ensure this opportunity for peace isn't squandered," said Oxfam's Uganda head, Emma Naylor.
UGANDANS GET CHRISTMAS CEASEFIRE
Uganda's leader has extended a ceasefire in parts of the war-torn north until the end of December.
President Yoweri Museveni's decision comes despite the apparent opposition of the army.
The BBC's Will Ross in the capital, Kampala, says the ceasefire is intended to allow rebel commanders to meet ahead of possible talks with the government. The rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is notorious for abducting children to become sex slaves and fighters.
The 18-year conflict in northern Uganda has driven 1.6 million people into refugee camps and triggered what aid workers call one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.
Fragile
Since the latest peace efforts began a month ago, LRA commanders have held face-to-face meetings with traditional leaders in the presence of international observers.
We currently have a unique opportunity for peace in northern Uganda but recent statements threaten this
Emma Naylor, Oxfam
A former Ugandan minister is acting as a mediator in the peace process.
But our correspondent says there is a great deal of mistrust between the two sides - the government fears the LRA may use the time to regroup while the rebels fear that by assembling for talks they may be walking into a military trap.
He says the latest extension will be welcomed by those calling for peace talks and although the peace process is extremely fragile, at least it is still intact.
Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza had said on Thursday that he saw no reason to extend the ceasefire because the rebels had left the ceasefire zones, in northern Uganda and southern Sudan, to regroup their fighters and develop new military strategies.
British aid agency Oxfam warned that statements such as that by Maj Bantariza could threaten the peace process.
"We currently have a unique opportunity for peace in northern Uganda but recent statements threaten this.
"The international community must apply diplomatic pressure to ensure this opportunity for peace isn't squandered," said Oxfam's Uganda head, Emma Naylor.
posted by Africa Anonymous @ 2:50 AM
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