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| Africa: East |
| Sudan ’re-arming’ Lords Resistance Army |
| 2003-08-27 |
| Shaky relations between Uganda and Sudan could be further strained by new accusations that Khartoum is supplying arms to rebels of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). The Ugandan Government also claims that LRA leader Joseph Kony has finally crossed back into southern Sudan via the northern Ugandan town of Gulu to acquire more supplies. But the Sudanese Government denies the charges, saying that only two weeks ago it presented a comprehensive report to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, showing Sudan was not providing weapons to the LRA rebels. "These are lies, the LRA is an enemy of Sudan," Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Sirajjudin Hamid Yusuf told the BBC. "Lies(tm), all lies(tm). The latest round of accusations follows reports that the Ugandan army received information from an LRA defector, David Oneka, about the alleged supply of arms, including anti-tank missiles, by Sudan to the rebels. Mr Oneka also claimed that he witnessed Mr Kony crossing into Sudan accompanied by his wives and 600 rebel fighters. But the Sudanese ambassador to Uganda doubts the credibility of the reports. "These reports are suspicious, the defector is only out to cause problems and ruin the protocol between Sudan and Uganda," said Mr Yusuf. The Sudanese envoy, however, admitted that rogue Sudanese military officers could be supplying the LRA rebels with food and weapons. "One officer was disciplined after he was arrested supplying food to women and children at an LRA camp," said Mr Yusuf. "He was only supposed to give them guns." Observers say this latest diplomatic tension will be seen as a major blow to the military protocol between the two countries, which allows Ugandan troops to pursue LRA rebels across the border into southern Sudan. The protocol is renewed every few months, but this time Uganda looks reluctant to renew it. The Uganda army spokesman, Major Shaban Bantariza, said it might be "pointless" to renew the protocol. "We can’t catch them in either country, so why bother." Uganda broke off diplomatic ties with Sudan in 1995 after accusing Sudan of supporting the LRA. Relations were restored after Sudan allowed Ugandan troops to enter the south in pursuit of the LRA. The Ugandan army has been fighting the LRA in northern Uganda since 1988, since when hundreds of thousands of people have been either displaced, maimed or killed. Even by African standards, the LRA are real nutcases. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 Lies, Lies These countries need to spice up their rhetoric to keep me interested. They should shoot a few bucks in the direction of Don King. As a consultant he could lay down a heavy load of trickerations and prevarications for his clients. Much better copy. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-8-27 12:42:37 PM |