Interview with Dr Riek Machar, Vice-President Southern Sudan, chief mediator, Juba peace initiative.
Why are these peace talks important for Sudan?
The LRA and the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) have been fighting each other in Sudan. The peace talks are very significant to Southern Sudan and the people of northern Uganda for the following reasons:
First, the war in northern Uganda will spill over to Sudan. The UPDF and the LRA since 2002 have been fighting each other in Southern Sudan. Our lands have been devastated by this war. We have a civil population that has been displaced and gone as refugees to Uganda, and we want them back if the peace talks succeed.
Second, the success of the peace talks also reinforces the implementation of the CPA [Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement]. The peace talks stalled after the 9 January verbal confrontation between President [Omar el] Bashir and President Salva Kiir [Mayardit] of Southern Sudan, when they traded accusations over the LRA. You can see how it would affect the Sudanese peace implementation. That’s why we felt as the government of Southern Sudan [that] we are better placed than any other country to be mediators in this conflict and bring about a peaceful settlement.
How do you see the LRA? Are they a conventional guerilla army?
They are definitely not a conventional guerrilla army. Their tactics are unique to themselves – that is why today they have difficulties with the ICC. They are a very unique organisation.
Do you think they will be able to go back home to northern Uganda?
Yes, if a peace agreement is signed. In a peace agreement there is always reconciliation and forgiveness. The political issues on which they took up arms will be resolved, and we have an agenda of accountability and reconciliation. This agenda would address issues of violations, so I think they would be free to go back.
They have agreed to assemble their troops in Ri-Kwangba, inside Southern Sudan. What sort of challenges does that present?
A lot of challenges. First of all, for our civilian population, is the psychological challenge they live with - that all the LRA is now assembled in Ri-Kwangba. I’ve known Joseph Kony since 3 May 2006. Up to 9 January 2007, he managed to control the forces that were with him, in Ri-Kwangba up to the Congo. So if the rest of his forces join him, I hope he will exercise the same control which he has shown in a period of nearly nine months.
It is a challenge, first to the LRA to control their troops and secondly to our civilian population. Psychologically, the fear that the LRA had meted out before we contacted them, before the peace talks, is still there. As to our forces, they are professional. They will deal with any situation and are under orders. They will manage the situation.
As chief mediator, how are you dealing with the issues of justice, regarding the ICC indictments?
We have an agenda of accountability and reconciliation. We believe that the ICC should give us a chance to bring about peace. This peace will address issues of violations, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It would not condone impunity. We would hope the alternative justice system, which is being advocated by both parties to the conflict, would also find acceptance, and would be enacted in parliament as part of the legal system. And then they deal through this alternative justice... and hopefully the ICC would find that their issues have been addressed.
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