Uganda and Rebels agree ceasefire to end 19-year war

The Ugandan government and Lord’s Resistance Army rebels today agreed to a truce to end a brutal 19-year conflict that left thousands dead, officials said.

The agreement, which goes into effect at 6am Irish time on Tuesday, was reached during peace talks in Juba, southern Sudan.

It calls for both sides to end all military action in one of Africa’s longest wars.

“We have agreed on the issues and put our signatures on the document,” government spokesman Paddy Ankunda said in Juba.

“We are happy, and now we will continue working for a comprehensive peace agreement,” Ankunda added.

Meanwhile, the Ugandan army will continue operations until the cessation deadline, he said.

Rebel negotiators could not immediately be reached for comment today.

After the ceasefire announcement, the rebels will have three weeks to gather at two assembly points in southern Sudan where they can be monitored by southern Sudanese forces, and will be given food and safe passage, government officials said.

The agreement was signed by Martin Ojul, head of the Lord’s Resistance Army delegation, and Uganda’s Interior Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda. South Sudan’s Vice-President and chief mediator Riek Machar also signed the document.

The Lord’s Resistance Army has already declared a ceasefire, but several of its fighters have been killed in recent weeks by Ugandan forces. Estimates for the number of Lord’s Resistance Army fighters vary between 500 and 5,000.

Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict and 1.7 million have fled their homes, according to relief organisations.

The Lord’s Resistance Army, made up of the remnants of a rebellion that began after President Museveni took power in 1986, is known for abducting thousands of children and forcing them to become fighters, servants or sex slaves.