NORTHERN UGANDA: CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES NOT A

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001615 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/E, DRL, INR, PRM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL PGOV WCI UG SU SUBJECT: NORTHERN UGANDA: CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES NOT A CEASE-FIRE ¶1. The Government of Uganda has agreed to a cessation of hostilities--not a cease-fire--to allow members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to assemble at two sites. Rebels in northern Uganda will move to a site in southern Sudan. Rebels in Garamba National Park will go to a designated site in Congo. The Government expects to sign the agreement later today (August 25) that will allow safe passage for LRA members to assemble at the designated areas. The agreement will take affect on August 29 and give the LRA two weeks to move to the assembly areas. The two-week deadline can be extended if the LRA is still moving toward assembly sites. The Government will publicize the agreement through various radio networks. Once in the assembly areas, the Governments of South Sudan and Uganda will provide for the LRA members welfare, including food and medical assistance. International donors may be called upon to assist depending on the numbers of LRA that choose to assemble. ¶2. The agreement is not a cease-fire but will "create a conducive environment" for the remaining issues for a cease-fire to be hammered out. The Government of Uganda insists that the assembled LRA members are under a "controlling authority" as a sign of good faith. The Government estimates that there are 300 LRA members at Garamba and 134 in northern Uganda. ¶3. Comment: The Government of Uganda is again trying to build the confidence of LRA members and leaders in the peace process by demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to a soft landing for LRA members. We do not expect LRA leader Joseph Kony or Vincent Otti to participate in the exercise, but instead rank-and-file and mid-level LRA may take advantage. Much will depend on the details of the agreement. BROWNING