The proposal is still under consideration by the Programme Committee which failed to have a full meeting in September due to lack of quorum. It is now hoped to make a decision in October. Politically, the situation in Uganda is characterised by a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Ugandan government and the LRA, concluded on 26 August. Following the agreement, the LRA fighters and their commanders were to assemble at different points outside Uganda (most in South Sudan), and for most of last month it seemed that they did, and negotiations started in Juba, though without the presence of Kony and the other four commanders
of the LRA who are indicted by the International Criminal Court began. But in the last week of Spetember LRA leader Kony ordered all his commanders to withdraw from the two South Sudan assembly points it seems, putting the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in question. Nevertheless the negotiations have continued since, and Sudan expressed satisfaction with their progress.
For the proposal to NP this situation has raised the question if the proposal can remained unchanged because the situation is so volatile that it cannot be predicted anyway, or if it would be better to wait until it is clearer if there is a peace agreement or this most recent ceasefire fails as or many have before.
Report written by Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)