Mad_Man

I've been reading about the LRA for some two years now.  I have to apologize that the American news doesn't care so much about other countries and in doing so I had no chance of learning about the bullshit that Kony and these others were doing to Uganda.  I say Uganda and not the north because what happens in the north, south, east and west affects the whole of Uganda.  Over these two years I've been reading about this peace plan with the LRA.  Over these two years I have also read about something very interesting with the peace process, one of the requirements is the for LRA to assemble in two areas.  I have also read that there is a cease fire and no movements or attacks from the LRA to include rearming should accrue.  At the beginning of these talks I've read that some of the LRA went to the assemble areas.  Since then, I've read that those that have assembled have went back to the bush or Congo.  I have also read that there are reports of LRA movement to Central Africa Republic.  I've read of reports that the LRA have attacked villages in Congo and South Sudan.  I have read that Kony has denied reports of any negative actions by the LRA and says that this is all propaganda from the government to discourage peace talks.  I have read North Uganda leaders talk that the government should do more to facilitate the peace talks.  I've read about the many extensions that the government has given the LRA on the peace plan.  I've read about the walk outs from the LRA due to disagreements with the government.  Even this morning as I write this I read again about the government rejects LRA demands  to remove ICC indictments.

You may ask yourself, and if you were able to ask me, where the hell am I going with this.  I am stating the facts about these peace talks that have lasted for so long after a conflict that has lasted some twenty years.  Now I add my opinion to this, so be prepared . . . . . . .

From what I see and have studied, the LRA is as committed to this peace process as the day this BS began.  And by BS, I mean the war that Kony started to over throw the government.  The LRA have attacked villages in the north of Uganda and along the way killed and kidnapped many Ugandans.  They have also made thousands of people that live in the North fearful of their lives that they walked miles to sleep away from their villages and most moved to camps to live in the illusion of safety.  Children are fearful of being kidnapped and forced into the LRA army as combatants or slaves and wives.  Body parts cut off or burned.  Houses and villages destroyed.  Families killed, kidnapped, forced to kill, rape and pillage.  From all of this I can see that the LRA was never for the betterment of Uganda or it's people.  I can see that the LRA is lead by a mad man with no reasoning skills or morals.  I am a person that believes in action not words.  And the actions from the LRA over the years tells me that they are only killing and destroying Uganda. 

I've said what the LRA has done, what I can't understand is the level of support that Northern leaders are giving the LRA and the level of discontent shown to the government.  I know that there are things that the government has done during these twenty or so years that are questionable and some actions that are not questionable and are clearly heard in the language that the Northern leaders use.  The government should reconcile with the north.  The government should secure the northern borders to prevent any further violations against the people and their property.  The government should give peace to the families of Uganda so that they should not have fear of being killed or kidnapped.  The government should develop the northern part of Uganda and encourage investment in this area, providing jobs and security.  But at the same time, and I know that the leaders of north Uganda are tired of this conflict that they just want it finished, the leaders should stand up and gather support from the people to support the government in doing what is right.  The local leaders have more than enough reasons to stop any and all corruption in government offices to speed up development in the north.  It is time for the local leaders to LEAD.

Finally, I can not believe in these peace talks simple for the reasons given by the LRA.  The LRA has failed to assemble in the areas agreed upon by the peace talks.  There have been several reports of LRA movement to CAR against peace talks.  There have been several attacks in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan supposedly by the LRA.  Members of the peace team from the LRA has been killed or prisoned by Kony or directed by Kony and then lied about, denied and even said to know nothing of and any and all negative reports about the LRA is propaganda from the government.  The LRA is still in the Congo.  The LRA are asking for unreasonable request from the government for peace.  How can you kill and kidnap some many and ask for government positions and money because you finally want to end the war?  How can you demand the ICC to drop any charges against the leaders of the LRA?  How can the LRA not leave the Congo to the designated assembly areas?  How can all these things happen and still be taken serious.  You can't. 

I fear that the peace talks are for nothing.  I pray that I am wrong.  But everything points to me being right.  I think Kony will never disband the LRA, and if he is forced out of the Congo he will move to CAR or Southern Sudan.  Nothing that the LRA has done has showed me that they are committed to the peace talks.  Asking for extension after extension, demand after unreasonable demand. I would hate to see all this effort for nothing.  I pray that I am wrong.