Peace deal with or without Kony

2008-03-22 22:42

Kampala - The signing of a peace deal to end one of Africa's longest wars will happen even if the rebel leader does not show up, the Ugandan government said on Saturday.

Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony and four other top LRA leaders are in hiding after being indicted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on atrocities charges.

But court officials have no power of arrest, and Uganda has promised not to turn over the suspects if they sign a peace deal.

"The government of Uganda would like to see Joseph Kony signing the final agreement, but if he fails to turn up we will accept someone authorised by him and LRA leadership to sign on his behalf," government negotiator Ruhakana Rugunda said.

Talks have been going on since 2006. Rugunda said a final deal could come by Friday.

Thousands of children abducted

The rebel army's fighters are notorious for cutting off the tongues and lips of civilians and abducting thousands of children, turning the boys into fighters and the girls into sex slaves.

The conflict has been one of Africa's longest running, sparked by a 1986 rebellion in the north when President Yoweri Museveni, a southerner, took power.

Earlier this month, Museveni said rebels due to stand trial at the ICC would instead face justice in Uganda at the request of their victims.

He said rebels would be prosecuted under a system of traditional justice known as Mato Put, a style of mediation that involves a public apology from the offender, who must also give a payment set by local elders - often in cattle or sheep - to the victims or bereaved.

In return, victims agree to forgive the accused.

Some human rights groups condemn such punishment as too lenient.

Judges in The Hague have asked Uganda to specify how it expects the international court to proceed.

- AP