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Rebel spirit broken - Uganda
02/01/2003 12:48 - (SA)
London - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni says governnment forces have broken the spirit of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the country's conflict-torn north.
"We have rescued a lot of abductees. More importantly, we have broken the morale of the bandits," Museveni told The Times newspaper.
"We have shown them we can get them wherever they go. Fighting doesn't mean killing everybody. Fighting is about making clear the balance of forces. The contest of will is in our favour," he said.
The LRA has battled since 1988 to overthrow Museveni's secular government, ostensibly to replace it with one based on the biblical Ten Commandments. Their campaign has been marked by atrocities and extremes of violence against civilians.
Musaveni also praised Kenyan leader Daniel arap Moi for gracefully stepping down after 24 years of autocratic rule.
"We are happy for the Kenyans," he said. "Democracy needs time and a coalescing of social and political forces. It is also good that Mr. Moi seems to have accepted the result," he told the London-based paper.
Will follow constitution
Opposition leader Mwai Kibaki (71) was sworn in on Monday as Kenya's third president since independence from Britain in 1963, with more than a million people thronging one of Nairobi's main parks to witness the ceremony.
The Kenyan transition will put extra pressure on the Ugandan leader to step aside after his second five-year term ends in 2006.
"We will follow the constitution, because that is what I fought for," he told The Times.
"The reason why some people say Museveni should continue is because they are worried about the country's chequered history. They say Museveni has given us some stability and should stay," he said.
"The present constitution says not more than two consecutive terms," he added.
Museveni promised in his New Year speech on Wednesday to bring peace to the country's conflict-torn north by defeating the rebels.
"We are now entering the dry season. The situation of our protracted battle with these criminals is entering a decisive and excellent phase," said Museveni in Kampala. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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