As historic peace talks to end the 21-year war in northern Uganda are set to resume, the U.S. remains publicly absent from the process, a factor that hinders the likelihood of a successful settlement. A new U.S.-based organization, Resolve Uganda, is setting out to change that by advocating for increased international engagement and renewed investment in the ongoing peace process.

By uniting thousands of concerned citizens and a coalition of human rights, faith-based and humanitarian organizations, Resolve Uganda is pressuring U.S. political officials to seize this opportunity to help end Africa’s longest running war. "Greater public engagement by the U.S. would build confidence and hold the parties accountable to the peace process," said Michael Poffenberger, Resolve Uganda Executive Director.

Resolve Uganda will replace the Uganda Conflict Action Network (Uganda-CAN), which was founded in 2005. "We believe Resolve Uganda can be the vehicle to bring even more Americans together to put pressure on our leaders to change policy toward this crisis," said Peter Quaranto, former director of Uganda-CAN and now Resolve Uganda senior researcher. Over the last two years, Uganda-CAN has organized call-ins, petition drives and a national lobby day for peace in northern Uganda. This helped initiate several Congressional briefings, U.S. Senate resolutions and international media coverage on the issue.

Now, with the opportunity presented by peace talks, the stakes have been raised. "The U.S. has a critical opportunity to strengthen the Juba process, and help support its African leadership,” said Poffenberger. The U.S. State Department has thus far issued statements "welcoming" the peace talks. In its first campaign, Resolve Uganda is working with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to press President Bush to send a senior-level diplomat to Juba.

Last week, thousands of Americans wrote their representatives, calling for such action. "By sending a senior diplomat to Juba, the U.S. could bring much-needed attention to the talks, and be available to help at the discretion of the mediator,” said Poffenberger. "We are not at all advocating for a U.S. takeover of the negotiations, but think that the U.S. should be doing more to see that the African leadership has all the resources and respect it needs to bring the parties to an agreement."

"More than any policy dispute, it has been mistrust that has threatened to derail peace talks," said Quaranto. "Both sides fear that the other is somehow manipulating the process to their advantage. Even if the U.S. is working behind closed doors, continued public absence is only perpetuating that mistrust and suspicion." In the coming weeks and months, Resolve Uganda will continue working to transform international neglect into leadership needed for lasting peace in northern Uganda. Visit www.ResolveUganda.org.

We have some big news about where the movement for peace in Uganda is headed and we hope you'll be a part of it! Two years ago, in response to what we'd seen happening in northern Uganda, we decided to do something -- to overwrite the legacy of neglect and indifference with our concern and action. We began to build a story of peace. And today, we're excited to announce the next chapter of that story - Resolve Uganda - a new campaign that will replace Uganda-CAN and increase the impact of our efforts. To do this, we are expanding our outreach and providing enhanced tools and opportunities for you to raise awareness, voice your concern, and change policy. If you can, help us make the beginning of this new venture as successful as possible by making a donation today.

Our experience with the Uganda Conflict Action Network over the past few years has showed us that when people unite their efforts and speak with one voice, our leaders respond. In two years, we have become the story we set out to write: a movement for peace. Yet, the story is hardly finished. Now, in northern Uganda, there is a new opportunity to finally end the unnecessary suffering. Last summer, the Government of Uganda and LRA sat down at the negotiating table, symbolizing the best hope for peace since the war between the two parties started. But this hope will not be realized without greater attention and action from the international community, especially the U.S. Our leaders will only take the steps necessary to secure lasting peace - both now and in the future - when we put even more pressure on them to do so. We believe that togetether, united in our resolve, we can ignite the political transformation needed to end this war.

Our sincere apologies that we have been out of touch these last months, but we have been working to bring you an innovative new organization for peace in northern Uganda. Two years on, we all know that news and analysis is not enough. The neglect we see from our leaders will be overcome only when enough people unite their resolve to achieve change. The new organization, Resolve Uganda, will seek to reach a wider audience and have greater political impact. It will incorporate all that has been key to Uganda-CAN (the latest news, analysis and resources), but with greater capacity to involve concerned citizens for an end to the war. Get an early look at Resolve Uganda's website.

Meanwhile, we have continued our advocacy to get the U.S. government fully supporting the historic opportunity of the Juba peace talks. We are currently working with offices in the Senate and House of Representatives to pressure the State Department to send a senior-level diplomat to Juba. This person should not subvert local leadership of the negotiations, but convey U.S. support and willingness to assist as needed. Stay tuned for ways to join this new push.