As you can see, the new UgandaCAN.org design is now live! For the next few days, we'll be fixing any errors and making some changes, so please pardon the construction. We hope this new design will let us provide even better news and resources to help you and many others make this year the war's last!

Uganda-CAN co-founder Peter Quaranto (yeah, that's me) spoke on this morning's "Morning Report" on the UK's Channel Four Radio News about the cessation of hostilities in northern Uganda. Click here to listen to the report.

Uganda-CAN coordinator Peter Quaranto (yes, that's me) will be speaking today on Chicago Public Radio's Worldview program about the historic Juba peace talks and breakthrough of the cessation of hostilities. Listen live to the show at 1:00 PM EST at Worldview's web site.

Click here to listen to yesterday's Wisconsin Public Radio "Here on Earth" broadcast on "Peace Talks in Uganda."

Uganda-CAN co-founder and coordinator Peter Quaranto (that's me!) will be a guest today 4-5pm EST on Wisconsin Public Radio's show "Here on Earth with Jean Feraca." I'll be joining ICC and Uganda expert Katherine Southwick to discuss the historic peace talks underway to end the 20-year war in northern Uganda. You can listen live on the Internet by going to www.hereonearth.org and clicking on the link "Live Webcasting." To join the conversation, call 1-800-642-1234 or send an email to hereonearth@wpr.org. You'll also be able to listen to the show later in the archives section of the web site.

Foreign Policy in Focus, "the think tank without walls," has published an Op/Ed from Uganda-CAN, titled "U.S. Ambivalence Undermining Historic Uganda Peace Talks. In the article, we write, "Historic peace talks currently underway are the best opportunity in over a decade to end Africa's longest running war. Yet the Bush administration and State Department--distracted by unrest in the Middle East and priorities that lie outside of Africa--have been ambiguous about the U.S. position on the talks, undermining opportunities to help end one of the world's worst humanitarian nightmares." Read the full Op/Ed at Foreign Policy in Focus.

The Black Star News, New York's leading investigative newspaper, has printed an Op/Ed from Uganda-CAN, titled "Uganda Peace Needs U.S." We write, "The ICC’s continued disapproval of talks could derail the process when discussions shift to post-conflict security guarantees...The U.S. can also help build a peace dividend so that if an agreement is reached, the financial and political resources will be available for its implementation." Read the full article at Black Star News and real Uganda-CAN's full analysis of peace talks here.

The new web site for October's Northern Uganda Lobby Day is live. Click here to visit the site and register now to be part of the historic events!

Uganda-CAN's latest commentary on the historic Juba peace talks is featured in today's Sudan Tribune. The article, titled "U.S. Ambivalence Undermining Historic Uganda Peace Talks," argues that the U.S. is missing opportunities to play a key role in ending the 20-year war in northern Uganda. We write, "The international community has a critical role to play in monitoring the talks to hold actors accountable to the process. In past talks, schizophrenic signals from the government and corruption within the military have undermined talks. The United States should stand willing, at the invitation of the GoSS, to aid and encourage the process when needed." Read the article at The Sudan Tribune and click here to read Uganda-CAN's full analysis of peace talks.

The Northern Uganda Lobby Day Web site has finally arrived! Register now for the historic events of October 9-10, 2006, when hundreds of people will come to Washington D.C. to learn and lobby policymakers for an end to the humanitarian nightmare in northern Uganda.

In 1994, just two weeks into the Rwandan genocide, human rights activist Alison Des Forges met with National Security Adviser Anthony Lake about the mass slaughter that was unfolding. When it was clear that the Clinton Administration had no intention of getting involved in the crisis, Des Forges, exasperated, asked Lake what she could do. "You have got to make more noise. The phones are not ringing," he told her. For Rwanda, the phones never rang, and a million people were killed while the world watched. But in northern Uganda, we have the chance to make a difference.

The 2006 Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium will bring together scholars, activists, policymakers, students and concerned citizens from across the country to "make more noise" about the human tragedy taking place in northern Uganda. This noise, when sustained, will save lives and help end a war. Click here to register and download a participant toolkit today!

Uganda-CAN regrets that the U.S. government continues to have little role in supporting historic peace talks between the Government of Uganda and LRA that are set to resume today in Juba. According to sources, there is a high-level disagreement at State Department about whether to press military approaches or back the current peace initiative. In June, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer visited northern Uganda and proclaimed support for peace talks if they could end the 20-year war. However, since Ms. Frazer's statement, there has been no official position by the U.S. government on these historic talks. U.S. ambivalence toward these talks is undermining this critical opportunity to be a leader in ending one of the world's worst humanitarian nightmares. Click here to read Uganda-CAN's analysis of why the international community should support the current peace process.

Over the last 24 hours, news that the LRA may be pulling out of peace talks had disheartened many, especially northern Ugandans, whom have placed great hope in these historic talks. It appears that the LRA is upset with the chief mediator Dr. Riek Machar, whom has demanded that a senior official of the rebel group travel to the talks. Machar believes that the attendance of a senior official is critical to ensure that the LRA negotiating delegation adequately represent the rebels at talks. In response, LRA deputy commander Vincent Otti has called for a new mediator and venue if talks are to continue.

Pulling out of the talks will not only make clear that the LRA does not have the interests of northern Ugandans at heart, but it may also give credence to past government statements that the LRA is not interested in peace. It may well legitimize the argument that only a military option and arrest of LRA leaders can end the conflict. Though it is documented that Uganda government has lacked will in past negotiations, the government seems very committed to this process. They have agreed to a number of confidence-building measures, including the recent visits by Acholi leaders and LRA relatives to Kony's base in Garamba. Further, the offer of amnesty against ICC indictments is a show of good will. The LRA would be smart to raise their concerns at the negotiating table, not by leaving the talks.

There is still hope. Earlier today, the LRA declared a unilateral ceasefire and has suggested it will continue with talks if the government reciprocates. We strongly urge the government to consider a ceasefire, especially if the LRA ceasefire appears to be in good faith. The absence of the international community to support this process is undermining the process. The U.S. and other donor governments can play a key role to monitor a ceasefire, support the talks and hold the parties accountable to the process. Last week, we released our analysis of why such international engagement is critical. Click here to read it.