Uganda-CAN co-founder and associate director of AFJN, Michael Poffenberger, was interviewed by Voice of America about why the U.S. must end its position of silence on the historic Juba peace talks. "What’s really important is that they’re going to need third party observers; they’re going to need international community representatives to be present at the talks, to be deploying to the ceasefire zone, to be extra voices of trust-building and accountability and confidence building for all the parties. The U.S., the UK and United Nations representatives can play an absolutely crucial role in ensuring that there are no Ugandan forces deployed in the ceasefire zone, in calling the LRA delegation back to the table and in calling the LRA forces that have left the ceasefire zone to return so that negotiations restart and an end to this 20-year nightmare will finally be found." Listen to the full interview at Voice of America News.

News that as many as 1000 LRA rebels are leaving Owiny-Kibul, one of the assembly points in southern Sudan, is certainly disheartening. Yet, there is definitely still hope. Peace talks are uncertain processes and most historically have undergone sudden unexpected turns. What is certain is that international monitoring and support is more critical than ever to build trust, raise the stakes and hold the parties accountable.

On October 9-10, hundreds of us will be gathering in Washington D.C. for the Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium to call for the U.S. Government, undeniably the most influential political force in the world, to play a positive role in supporting these peace talks. It is not too late to register and be part of this historic gathering to "make some noise." Even if you can't make it to Washington, you can get involved in your own community by jamming the phone lines of your political representatives on October 10th and urging them to act now!

In its ongoing effort to provide in-depth news and analyis of the conflict in northern Uganda, Uganda-CAN has updated and expanded its website resources. Check out our updated and expanded timelines of the conflict, resource pages on child soldiers and the health crisis in northern Uganda, and maps showing LRA activity, IDP populations, and international aid. To view all of these (and more) resources, click the "Background" tab at the top of this page.