Building Peace in Uganda

The Northern Uganda peace process will not succeed unless the United States and other influential outside actors engage on the ground to help broker a deal, according to an ENOUGH Project strategy paper released today.

Read ENOUGH's latest strategy paper: http://capweb.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=276148335&url_num=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enoughproject.org%2Freports%2Fleverage_uganda_20070807.php

“The rebel Lord's Resistance Army has yet to be convinced that a peace agreement is their best and only option,” says report author and ENOUGH co-chair John Prendergast, “and no one currently involved in the peace talks can provide the kind of pressure and persuasion necessary to push it to this conclusion.”

Unfortunately, the United States government has remained largely on the sidelines of the negotiations, taking place in Juba, southern Sudan. The recent decision – largely due to activist and Congressional pressure – to appoint a DC-based “senior advisor” focused on longer-term development and reconciliation will not move the process forward, the paper argues, unless the job is based in the region and re-focused to support the peace process.

Read ENOUGH's latest strategy paper: http://capweb.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=276148335&url_num=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enoughproject.org%2Freports%2Fleverage_uganda_20070807.php

To ensure the Juba peace talks continue apace, the paper outlines five immediate steps that must be taken. Prendergast asserts that strong U.S. engagement could play a critical role in supporting direct talks between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony.

“With the right level of international engagement – supported by strong U.S. leadership – the current peace process could succeed soon,” says Prendergast, “but only if sufficient leverage is brought to bear.”

To read “Let's Make a Deal: Leverage Needed in Northern Uganda Peace Talks,” go to http://capweb.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=276148335&url_num=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enoughproject.org%2F.

The ENOUGH Project is an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity.

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

how can ugandans themselves put pressure on the US and  international community to support the peace talk in Juba. Its like most ugandans are a sleep, juba peace talks seem not to be their business!

Is there any pressure we can exert to the US embassy  and the international community to appropriately intervene in the peace talks and ENOUGH suggests.

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

I will look into this and see what I can find out.

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

Thank you for keeping the fire burning for Darfur and beyond. You have no idea on the impact you are creating.

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

Thanks for your kind words Moses.  I am trying to contact someone at the Enoughproject site and see if they could answer some of our questions, specifically the ones you are asking about what Ugandans can do.

I also found this other site that you may like to check out, I am bookmarking here at zaadz too.
http://www.resolveuganda.org/home

I hope to try and meet with one of my State Senators and get some answers from him as well.  I will keep you posted with anything that I find out.

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

I have kind of been out of Zaadz, I am organising a community sensitization week for one of our  flood affected areas. More that 10,000 were submerged last week. The floods have been largely caused by heavy rains, the contruction of northern by-pass (aimed at reducing traffic in city centre) , narrow water channels since the area was build in a swamp, and the locals throwing garbage in the channel to be carried by water. this ends up blocking the channel and water finds its own level!

Of course there are both water and insecticide borne diseases by floods andy stagnant water where many children find it enjoyeable playing and swimming in it.

We will participate in cleaning the channel, sensitizing people on risky  health hazzards and educating  them on proper garbage disposal. We will also use the same event to bring the plight of these people to the attention of local leaders, policy markers and the development partners. Please pray for its success.

Thank you for continued support for peace in Darfur and beyond.

Peace and love, In all partners we are!

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

i am sorry to hear about the flooding and the causes for the flooding.

i hope you were able to make some progress on the clean up and the education.  we had some very minor flooding in our town over the weekend and watching kids playing in the water reminded me of how it must be even more of a monumental challenge with the number of kids and people probably swimming in the water in your case.

i wish you success with your work and thanks for your commitment.

i am still trying to learn more everyday and hope i can be part of change in the world.  your work and efforts keep me energized!

Re: Building Peace in Uganda

Thank you Michael, you always give me more reasons to serve the minority.