February9, 2007:
The African Union has provided funds for the Ugandan peacekeeping
force in Somalia. The AU contributed $11.6 million (US). Uganda will send 1,400
troops, including some armored vehicles. Uganda has said that the troops could
be in Somalia up to nine months.
February
8, 2007: Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state ordered LRA rebels to leave the
region. The LRA was accused of launching attacks and committing crimes in
Sudan. These LRA were not participating in the peace talks sponsored by
the Sudanese government. Two months ago the LRA was accused of participating in
several ambushes in south Sudan of Sudanese civilians. There were also reports
of robberies and vehicle thefts. Forcing the LRA to leave southern Sudan is
potentially a major setback for the Uganda-LRA peace process. That noted, the
Ugandan government has been saying it will continue to negotiate with the LRA
and is even willing to consider dropping criminal charges against senior LRA
members. The Ugandan government, however, favors continuing the talks in Juba.
On February 4, Uganda said that it would take "South Africa and Kenya three
months" to "understand the issues of Uganda." The LRA said in January that it
would no longer conduct negotiations in southern Sudan. Kenya and South Africa
have been suggested as other venues for negotiations, but the LRA commanders
also fear that international criminal warrants could be served on them in Kenya
and South Africa. Kenya has indicated that it would not host peace talks. The
Kenyan government wants the talks in Juba to continue. Uganda has good
relations with south Sudan (which is increasingly creating its own regional
policy—one slightly different from the Sudan government). Uganda has been
negotiating a "bilateral cooperation agreement" with the government of south
Sudan. This is basically a trade agreement proposed by South Sudan.
February
5, 2007: The Ugandan government said that it was deploying 1000 policemen in
the police Anti-Stock Theft Unit to the eastern portion of Pader district. The
area has been plagued by cattle rustlers.