Acholi welcome LRA ceasefire

Acholi paramount chief, Rwot Onen Achana, relaxing in his hotel earlier last year in Juba

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The New Sudan Vision

THE news of the signing of a permanent ceasefire between the LRA and the Government on Saturday was received with relief and joy by Acholi leaders.

The Acholi paramount chief, Rwot Onen Achana, through his spokesperson said he was overjoyed by the news.

“Everybody is excited about the signing,” the Rwot’s prime minister, Kenneth Oketta, told The New Vision yesterday.

The Rwot is not focusing on the challenge of implementing the traditional reconciliation system mato oput, which will be used for minor crimes committed in the northern war, he said.

“We want to prepare the minds of people to welcome the former LRA fighters and allow them settle back home, without anybody pointing fingers at them.”

He revealed that the Rwot would fly to Juba tomorrow to witness the remaining discussions on the peace talks’ agenda.

The permanent ceasefire agreement is the last step towards a final peace settlement.

“It is the laying down of arms. It is the end of the war,” said Joaquim Chissano, the UN special envoy, just after the signing.

With only a demobilisation deal left to be agreed on, negotiators and mediators like Chissano are predicting that a final accord will be reached this week.

The speed of progress in recent days has taken observers by surprise, particularly after the LRA delegation walked out on Thursday because the Government rejected their demand for cabinet jobs and cash.

The ceasefire agreement prohibits any recruitment or rearmament by the LRA, or movement beyond the temporary assembly area of Ri-Kwangba in South Sudan, where they will remain prior to demobilisation.

Under the deal, the Government of South Sudan commits itself to deploy a full SPLA battalion for the protection of Ri-Kwangba and a 10km buffer zone around it.

Gulu RDC Walter Ochora, while welcoming the agreement, pointed out that the test would be in the implementation.

“Much as we thank both parties for the efforts they have made to reach where they have reached, the most important question is: is it going to be implemented?” Ochora asked.

“Is the LRA going to disarm? Will they assemble at Ri-Kwangba? Will Kony and the two other commanders present themselves to the Ugandan court? If those are answered, we shall be sure that peace has been achieved.”

The civil society in northern Uganda called the signing of the permanent ceasefire and the earlier agreement on accountability a “sign of relief”.

“Last week we were worried about the walk-out of the LRA negotiators and the dynamics within the LRA, which made us fear that the hardliners had taken over,” commented George Omona, the head of ACORD.

“If a permanent ceasefire has been agreed, that is a big relief and the displaced people will be encouraged to go home.”

Like Ochora, he however wondered about the practical implementation. “Will Kony submit himself to the national court? And to what extent do the current negotiators have the mandate of Kony?” he asked.

Likening the situation of northern Uganda to a woman in labour pain, he said: “The time has come for peace to be delivered. But we don’t want a still birth.”