Civil society sets terms for peace in the north

The Ugandan government has been urged to adopt a consistent approach in dealing with the rebel Lords Resistance army (LRA), and avoid contradictions which have so far undermined trust between the parties during peace efforts for northern Uganda. The Civil Society Organisations for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU), a coalition of 40 non-governmental organisations working with civilians affected by the conflict, also urged the two sides to renew their commitment to peace building and national reconciliation. "The government and its partners must be strong and committed in their resolve to pursue consistent, constructive steps towards a peaceful resolution even in the face of setbacks, which are inevitable," the civil society group stated in a paper presented to donors and government representatives last week. The paper reiterated civil society's long-standing objections to the use of military means to end the conflict. It noted that such an approach had so far failed and urged both sides to engage in dialogue. The group further urged both parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and ensure that humanitarian workers were not attacked while delivering relief to affected populations in the region. Insecurity has escalated in northern Uganda recently, following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement. The paper said the peace process should be "inclusive, based on patient dialogue and on the search for consensus on underlying issues, not fixed positions".