| Last Updated: Wednesday, 4 February, 2004, 12:08 GMT |
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Plea for world help in Uganda war | ||
Archbishop of Gulu John Baptist Odama said the military approach would not end the insurgency. However the Ugandan army says it will move into southern Sudan in pursuit of Lord Resistance Army rebels. The LRA led by Joseph Kony has been fighting to replace President Yoweri Museveni for nearly 20 years.
Archbishop Odama said conflicting statements by the government on ways to end the civil war have worsened the situation in Gulu area. Exhausted strength " One time the government would say yes we are for peace, but two, three days later will says no I have to crush these people - so this furthers the state of mistrust," Archbishop Odama said.
Archbishop Odama has emphasised the need for more powerful groups like the Unites Nations, European Union, the Commonwealth and also African union to help. But army spokesman Shaban Bantariza said the Ugandan army would redeploy into South Torit in Sudan to flush out the rebels. The army has accused the Sudan government of failing to keep its side to the bargain to occupy LRA camps in the area after the rebels were flushed out in April 2002. This will be the ninth time the army has moved into Sudan to pursue the rebels. Sudan first allowed Uganda to launch an offensive against LRA in her territory in March 2002. Earlier this week the International Criminal Court announced that it would investigate the 17-year conflict in Uganda that had seen 20,000 children being abducted and abuses including rape, murder and beatings. President Museveni first sought the intervention of the newly formed court in December. LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES | ||
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