Uganda 2002
11/08/2002

This man has been living in a “protected camp” for the past five years. Three of his five children were abducted by the LRA. One escaped from Sudan but the other two are still fighting. He explained, “We’re in trouble here. All this food you give us today, they will come and take it tonight. The government can’t help us—they fear the rebels too. If the international community can’t help to end this peacefully, then we’re in trouble. The military can’t end this war. They have been fighting for 16 years and the rebels still come and cause trouble for us. I just want my two sons back. The UN should force both sides to negotiate or else our children will keep dying.” This plea for peace was echoed almost without exception by the people of Acholiland. The religious leaders in Acholiland have spearheaded attempts to negotiate peace between the Government and the LRA—with very little success. The government, while saying that it will negotiate, has showed little real commitment to a peaceful solution. In addition, because the LRA is considered a terrorist organization, the government of Uganda has stated that it is impossible to negotiate with terrorists, thus undermining civil society attempts to mediate between the government and the LRA, and convincing many Acholis that the government is not committed to peace.