Museveni warns LRA

2007-01-26 17:10

Kampala - Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni warned on Friday the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) of military action if it fails to sign a deal to end the two-decade civil war that has ravaged the country's north.

Museveni said he was in consultation with regional countries and the United Nations (UN) about the matter as negotiations between the two sides remained stalled over rebel demands for a change of venue and mediator.

"The army is ready and capable. If they (LRA) don't want to come out peacefully, we are in touch with neighbouring countries and the UN, they will get out the hard way," Museveni told a gathering at celebrations to mark the ruling party's 21st anniversary in power.

The warning came a day after the LRA appealed for the safety of their fighters following a similar threat by the semi-autonomous southern Sudanese government if the rebels threatened civilian safety.

LRA refuses to resume talks

LRA spokesperson Obonyo Olweny sought to play down Museveni's threat.

"He has been talking about military action for a long time and that has not resulted in anything. What Museveni is saying is not a new thing," he said.

"Let the government of Uganda accept a new venue, come to the negotiating table and reach an agreement."

The LRA has refused to resume talks, demanding a change of venue from the south Sudanese capital of Juba as well as a new mediator. It accuses the chief mediator, south Sudan's vice-president Riek Machar, of bias towards Kampala and says Khartoum wants them to leave because of alleged attacks on civilians.

The talks, seen as the best chance yet to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly two million, have stalled after the sealing of a landmark truce in August that was last extended in mid-December.

- SAPA