Uganda has been praised by much of the Western world for its "success" in combating HIV/AIDS, yet as an article in today's Monitor newspaper points out, HIV/AIDS rates are skyrocketing in the war-torn northern regions. Without peace, it is impossible to effectively treat and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Even when the war does end, the consequences of this 19-year old war - such as the high HIV rate - will rage on as a new war against human dignity and life in northern Uganda. Read the article from today's Monitor.

There is hope that peace in northern Uganda may be possible in 2005, according to the most recent International Crisis Group report on the conflict. This report, titled "Building a Comprehensive Peace Strategy for Northern Uganda," lays out a number of steps that must be taken by different actors for a successful peace process. These include steps by the international community and U.S. government to support the peace efforts of Betty Bigombe, the chief peace negotiator. Read the report at ICG's website.

This latest report from ICG, coupled with other recent reports, shows that the conflict is at a critical juncture with the potential for either peaceful resolution or horrific deterioriation. We must work to see that the peace process receives adequate support and management, or else the war will continue to persist and intensify with horrific ramifications for the people on the ground.

In recent news, both UNICEF and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have warned that the conflict in northern Uganda is intensifying, leaving more people displaced and more children vulnerable. It boggles the mind to think about how this horrific conflict of 19 years continues to grow and persist. This news must be met by intensified commitment from the international community to act for peace. It is our work to ensure such commitment is articulated and secured. Read the UN statements in Monday's New Vision article.

I would just like to write a short post to publicly thank Patrick Gavin and Text Link Ads. (Text Links Ads has generously donated some inventory to our cause, giving us much needed exposure.)

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As the world's most powerful countries converge on the G-8 summit next week, there is great hope that they will pass a comprehensive debt relief, trade and aid package for Africa. Yet, if this is all the G-8 summit does, the good intentions will be in vain. Africa needs peace and justice for such charity to be effective and sustainable.

Today, the Africa sub-continent is plagued by brutal post-colonial conflicts that have displaced more than 20 million people. Conflicts in Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Angola, Zimbabwe and elsewhere are horrific and persistent. Internally-displaced camps and refugee camps cloak the continent. With such mass violence raging, debt relief and aid packages may hurt more than they help.

Uganda is a case example of this. At present, more than 50% of Uganda's budget consists of foreign aid. Yet, much of that foreign aid has simply perpetuated politics of division and repression within the "pearl of Africa." The 19-year old conflict in the northern regions has persisted, leaving millions affected, while the Global North has simply ignored such peace and security realities.

It is clear that the countries of the G-8 with their economic power and foreign aid packages can do a lot of good, but that good must include being willing to face the violent realities and injustices laden through much of Africa. In many of these conflicts, particularly those in the Great Lakes Region (Congo, southern Sudan, northern Uganda, Darfur), the G-8 has powerful opportunities to take small actions to support peace processes.

As the world turns it eyes to Gleneagles, let's hope the G-8 turns its eyes to our amazing opportunity to promote peace and security in Africa. For more, read the Crisis Group's press release on the G-8.

Recognizing the opportunity and urgency for action to end the 19-year old war in northern Uganda, Africa Faith and Justice Network is launching the Uganda Conflict Action Network to pressure the U.S. government to advocate and support peace negotiations in the region. United in solidarity with the hopes and visions of millions of Ugandans, Uganda-CAN will work to build a campaign of compassionate citizens to combat this unnecessary human suffering and help bring healing and renewal to the Great Lakes Region.

Movements have arisen to call for attention to other crises in the Great Lakes Region such as the genocide in Darfur and conflict transformation in southern Sudan. Responsible foreign policy toward the region should take into consideration the linkages between the various crises. Uganda-CAN will work with and as part of these movements to push for international attention and effective action in the Great Lakes Region.

At present, there is a great opportunity for international action, especially from the U.S. government, to act to support efforts to end the war in northern Uganda, spurring peace and renewal throughout the Great Lakes Region. Jan Egeland, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, recently told the BBC that this is a historic chance to end the war.

It is critical that the U.S. use its clout with both the Ugandan and Sudanese governments to support, develop and facilitate peace negotiations. In addition, the U.S. must increase resources to protection and relief for the vulnerable children and more than 1.6 million internally-displaced peoples.

Yet, none of this will happen without pressure from the ground.

Today Uganda-CAN is asking you to join us as we raise awareness about this hidden war and demand action for its peaceful resolution. Together, with your funding, time and support, we will work that the international community can no longer ignore such gross human tragedy.

Together, we can make a difference as we push for a more responsible global citizenship that hears and answers to the suffering of the most poor and vulnerable of our world.

Explore our website to learn more and sign-up to become a part of Uganda-CAN.

At the end of 2003, Jan Egeland, the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the BBC: "I cannot find any other part of the world that is having an emergency on the scale of Uganda that is getting so little international attention." Egeland's words could not have been more true or their ramifications more horrifying.

On the ground in northern Uganda, the scene is shocking. Tens of thousands of civilians have been maimed or killed by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Ninety percent of the region's population of almost two million people has been relocated into internally displaced people's camps that lack food and security. People in the camps are enduring disease, malnutrition, and nighttime attacks from the LRA.

An old man living in one such camp told us, "Since 1985, we have just had restless nights...In some ways, we are already dead. We yearn for peace, but we have no hope anymore."

Further, the bulk of the soldiers fighting for the LRA are children aged seven to seventeen who have been abducted from towns and camps. Escapees recount stories of being abducted, brutalized, brainwashed, and forced to kill viciously.

Yet, from the rest of the world, silence abounds. For years the U.S. government and entire international community have looked the other way, not providing the necessary relief assistance nor using their diplomatic power to push the Ugandan government to commit to ending this war. This inaction has facilitated the maintenance of the status quo and has served to perpetuate the violence. In recent reports, Reuters AlertNet, Medicins san Frontiers and the United Nations placed Uganda on top of the list of the world's most forgotten crises.

Ugandans deserve better. It is time for the international community to stop ignoring such unnecessary human suffering. We must use our power as people and citizens to turn attention and resources to this disaster and the region as a whole. We must act now to see that our own government seizes this opportunity to contribute to a long-awaited peace in northern Uganda, the Great Lakes Region of Africa and beyond.