For the first time since the inception of the war in northern Uganda, the United Nations has met with members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). UN officials said the meeting was held in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where they discussed the disarmament of the group and the future possibilities for peace. General Paderi, a senior commander of the Congolese National Army was also in attendance. This meeting comes just days after a report that the LRA's deputy commander was believed to be among the LRA rebels in the DRC. Discussions will continue by phone between the LRA and the UN. Read more at the BBC.

Check out Uganda-CAN's legislative page to read more on relative United Nation's resolutions.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January between the National Islamic Front (NIF) ruling regime in Sudan and the leaders of the southern Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) has weaknesses that could ultimately lead to its failure, argues Professor Eric Reeves in this SudanTribune analysis.

Among the weaknesses is evidence that the Government of Sudan has continued its covert support for the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), corroborated by a recent statement by UN Special Representative to Sudan Jan Pronk. The LRA has often been used by the Government of Sudan as a proxy militia to wreak havoc in Sudan's southern region.

Other weaknesses include an improper balance of power, difficulties in dividing oil revenues, and a lack of progress in stopping the ongoing genocide in the western region of Darfur. The LRA has typically based most of its operations in southern Sudan, though recently several commanders have also shifted to neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Maintenance of this tentative peace between North and South Sudan is critical to ensuring the end of the LRA war.

Reuters reports now that Vincent Otti, the deputy leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is asking for political asylum in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after fleeing to its remote northeastern jungles. Otti and about fifty rebels left southern Sudan's lawless mountains last week and crossed into the DRC. Ugandan Defense Minister Amama Mbabazi said, "Otti's group has declared their presence in DRC and are requesting political asylum...I am waiting to hear the response."

Leaving southern Sudan, Otti's group burned homes on the road between the Sudanese towns of Juba and Yei. This was the first time that the LRA has crossed the White Nile. The LRA had never crossed before, supposedly out of fear of losing the magical protection of their leader, self-proclaimed prophet Joseph Kony.

Mbabazi further said the main LRA force was split into three groups -- one with Otti in DRC, another west of the Nile inside Sudan, possibly heading to Congo, and a third with Kony, also inside Sudan.

The International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) has published a report surveying views of northern Ugandans about peace and justice issues in relation to the LRA rebellion. 2,585 people in Gulu, Kitgum, Lira and Soroti districts were interviewed, many IDPs displaced by the conflict. Over 75% said that both the UPDF and LRA should be punished for human rights atrocities, although many thought that low-ranking LRA soldiers, who are often child abductees, should not be punished.

The views expressed revealed several important issues relating to peace and justice in northern Uganda. Many people, including chief government negotiator Betty Bigombe and many Acholi religious leaders, think emphasis should be placed on peace before justice. They believe that the Ugandan amnesty program for LRA rebels is best method to achieve peace, and that a recent initiative by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for high-ranking LRA commanders will deter them from surrender and prolong the war.

Many Acholi also object to the idea of LRA soldiers being tried outside of Uganda, or even outside of northern Uganda. They think that LRA soldiers should be subject to the traditional justice system, which would include a cleansing ritual. However, others expressed concern that the traditional justice system and cleansing rituals are not sufficient given the extreme nature of the crimes of some LRA commanders, and that amnesty without punishment is unfair to the victims of LRA crimes.

Questions were also raised as to how UPDF soldiers that have committed crimes against IDPs should be punished. Additionally, issue of reparations to victims of the LRA and UPDF was discussed, some advocating money payments to victims.

Read more at allAfrica.com about the struggles of northern Ugandans to come to terms with two decades of conflict and try to balance reconciliation, justice, and sustainable peace.

As part of a compelling series on "Africa's peace seekers," the Christian Science Monitor reports on the life and work of Betty Bigombe, the chief peace negotiator in northern Uganda. Click here to learn about Betty's work, especially in the last 18 months to mediate between the rebels and government towards a viable peace process.

The British Guardian newspaper reports that the first direct contact between peace mediators and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel leader Joseph Kony in eleven years could help expedite the end to the longstanding war in northern Uganda.

Betty Bigombe, the chief peace negotiator in northern Uganda, has been in contact with Kony over recent weeks. She said, "I have been in direct contact with Kony for more than two weeks now. He is telling me that he is willing to end the war through peaceful means. He has for the moment given no conditions at all. We hope that this time around, peace will be realised."

Read more about this developing window of opportunity for peace by clicking here.

The Hindustan Times reports that Betty Bigombe, the chief peace mediator in northern Uganda, has opened direct talks with Joseph Kony, the lead of the Lord's Resistance Army.

Bigombe said, "He wants the war to end through peace talks. He said the results of talks would be different if we talk directly with the boss."

Uganda-CAN welcomes this development and hopes that all actors involved - the Government of Uganda, U.S. government, international community, civil society - will act to see that this opportunity is seized to end the suffering of the people in northern Uganda.

The New Vision reports today that Betty Bigombe, the chief peace negotiator in northern Uganda, has received a number of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to represent the Lord's Resistance Army. Yet, Betty told the New Vision that she remains in contact with Joseph Kony as her mediation work continues on. While the suspicious calls are disturbing, it is hopeful for a peace process that Bigombe maintains contact with the leader of the LRA.