Press Release: Resolve Uganda Lobbies for U.S. Support of Resuming Peace Talks
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.
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.