Politics stalls talk on war
11/04/2006 20:13  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

No SADC troops for DRC poll Court rules for Museveni European troops ' worrisome' Landmines kill 1 800 in DRC DRC: 72 presidential candidates Uganda disarms tribal warriors Probe into war crimes in DRC Egeland: Act on Uganda conflict Opposition boycotts DRC poll DRC rebels recruiting kids 'Uganda conflict is terrorism'

Kampala - Negotiations between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over billions of dollars in war compensation have been stalled by politics.

In December, the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) found Uganda guilty of violating DRC sovereignty by militarily intervening in the country in 1998, and ruled Uganda was liable to pay damages to the DRC of up to $8 billion (R54bn).

On Tuesday Ugandan deputy foreign minister Henry Okello Oryem said both sides had hoped to start talks shortly after the ruling but, four months on, they have not advanced beyond a preparatory stage.

Oryem said his country's general elections in February, and upcoming polls in the DRC, had left officials in the two capitals preoccupied and unable to set up meetings.

At the time of the ICJ ruling, Kampala said it was flawed as the ruling ignored the threat posed to it by armed groups operating in the eastern DRC.

However, Kampala said it would respect the decision and discuss compensation with Kinshasa.

The DRC filed its claim with the ICJ in 1999, asking the court to condemn Uganda for invading its territory, massacring civilians and plundering its natural resources including diamonds and gold.

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile