Press Release
17 October 2006
UK supports peace process for Northern Uganda
A new UN fund to support ongoing peace talks between the Government of Uganda
and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel movement will receive £250,000 of UK
funding, it was announced today.
The ‘Juba Initiative Fund’ will help to pay for the costs of the mediation
process taking place in Juba, Southern Sudan. The talks aim to bring to an end
the twenty year conflict in northern Uganda, which has forced some 2 million
people from their homes. Many of them now live in camps, fearful to return home.
The UN has called for a total of £2.5 million for the fund. This will help to
pay for the running costs of the mediation secretariat in overseeing the peace
talks. The fund will also support the team that was created to monitor the
Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed between the Government of Uganda and
the LRA on the 26 August.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said:
"The people of northern Uganda have suffered enormously because of
conflict.
"In the last eighteen months, the UK has provided over £29 million in
humanitarian relief to the people of northern Uganda, helping to pay for
emergency food, health care, water and sanitation, education and supporting
efforts to better protect vulnerable children.
"We will continue to help the vulnerable, forced from their homes and now
living in camps. But people cannot go home until they feel safe to do so.
Both sides must seek a lasting end to this conflict, and that’s why we are
supporting the UN’s appeal for the peace talks in Juba."
Minister for Africa Lord Triesman said:
"The UK is giving practical help at a crucial point in these talks. I
welcome the progress made so far. It is now critical that both parties
maintain their commitment, show restraint, and implement agreements reached
to date. Only then will we produce a solution which brings both peace and
justice to the people of northern Uganda."
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