Atkinson & Finnstrom: "Building sustainable peace in Uganda will be arduous"
Long-time experts Ron Atkinson and Sverker Finnstrom have written about the challenge of "building sustainable peace in northern Uganda" in the Horn of Africa Bulletin (No. 4, 2008) available here. They write, "It is important to note that Kony's failure to sign does not necessarily mean that LRA activities in northern Uganda will resume. Most LRA fighters are simply too far away from north-central Uganda for this to be a viable option, and unless South Sudan descends into renewed chaos and violence, the LRA will unlikely be able to re-establish bases there. At the same time, however, diplomats and others in the international community need to make every effort to get the talks back on track, as well as keep the GOU from initiating any military moves.
There are innumerable reasons for this, but among the most important is that the failure to fully ratify the peace agreement will give the GoU an excuse - as they can blame this on the rebels - for abandoning the many serious commitments they have signed up for in the current agreement."
They continue later, "As we wait for the current situation to be resolved and a final agreement signed, we would like to stress that implementing the agreement will be an arduous, grassroots project that will require the sustained attention and support of the outside world. A so-called 'post conflict situation' can often be more violent than a conflict itself, and we need to prepared, emotionally and practically, for problems and setbacks." In particular, they focus on concerns over land access and security. They argue, "A crucial first step in reducing that risk is a moratorium on any alienation of communal land for 'investment' or 'development' until people are peacefully resettled. Acholi parliamentarians, civil society organizations and leaders, and local government leaders have frequently reiterated this position."
They continue later, "As we wait for the current situation to be resolved and a final agreement signed, we would like to stress that implementing the agreement will be an arduous, grassroots project that will require the sustained attention and support of the outside world. A so-called 'post conflict situation' can often be more violent than a conflict itself, and we need to prepared, emotionally and practically, for problems and setbacks." In particular, they focus on concerns over land access and security. They argue, "A crucial first step in reducing that risk is a moratorium on any alienation of communal land for 'investment' or 'development' until people are peacefully resettled. Acholi parliamentarians, civil society organizations and leaders, and local government leaders have frequently reiterated this position."