Anger at LRA vented in Yambio (Gurtong) By Clement Gbatanawo.
YAMBIO, Sudan, June 14, 2007, (Gurtong) - Community leaders gathered in Yambio on Wednesday to study the impact of the Lord's Resistance Army's (LRA) stay in Western Equatoria State (WES). Community members expressed anger at the atrocities committed by the LRA. The community members and officials were in the WES capital of Yambio for the launch of the relief agency World Vision's report on the effect of the presence of the Ugandan rebels on those living in the state. The report details how, since the arrival of the LRA in 2005, they have carried out a number of atrocities including displacement of people from their communities, creation of fear among the people, abduction of children (including the girl child), killing innocent civilians on several occasions and looting people's property. "A total of one thousand five hundred sixty nine household so far have been displaced from their original habitat," said one community member about his county. Chief Zachariah Nzari from Nabanga area had similar evidence against the LRA. "My people continue to live in constant fear and that they no longer go for hunting and collecting of wild honey because what the LRA can do is deadly" said chief Zachariah Nzari. "We hear only of peace that was signed in Nairobi but the people of Nabanga know no peace for now 24 years," he added. The Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission secretary from Ibba County added that over a thousand of beehives in Ibba County have been destroyed by the same LRA and that the only other economic activity, agriculture, has come to a standstill in the area. "We have received unwanted visitors with arms, and they loot, abduct people and kill most of the hostages," pointed out The Deputy Governor, Col. Joseph Ngere. "The LRA are given the final warning to become serious with peace talks and once that has failed, we (SPLM) won't tolerate them in our regions, the Southern Sudan," warned Ngere. NO CONSENT The former Commissioner of Yambio County stated, "We the leaders from the Western Equatoria in the affected area were called to Juba and asked whether we welcomed the LRA in the region and upon refusal, we were dictated upon by the leadership of that meeting," the former commissioner stressed. RECOMMENDATIONS World Vision's report 'Reluctant Hosts' recommended that more should be done to protect the people of WES, including further training for security and military personnel in the area. The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) were urged to give support to Government efforts for improved physical protection and support of a widespread public information campaign on FM radio stations. But the congregation in their recommendations suggested that immediate 'firing out' of the LRA of WES should be the priority. Cooperation from the three countries, that is, Uganda, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo could lead to an end of the LRA from WES they said. But if the LRA are to stay in WES, they should leave the citizens to live in total peace especially such a people who have just ended one of the longest wars in the Great Lakes region suggested the participants. _______________________________________________ Ugandanet mailing list [email protected] http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. ---------------------------------------
