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Move to lift Ugandan LRA warrants Ugandan rebels assemble in Sudan
(about 1 hour later)
Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army is urging the UN's humanitarian chief to support immunity for its top leaders from international war crimes charges. The first group of rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army have arrived at assembly points in southern Sudan - as part of a truce with the government.
Jan Egeland is joining the Ugandan government and LRA at peace talks in Juba in southern Sudan. At least 400 rebels have arrived at Owiny Ki-Bul, just east of the Nile, including deputy leader Vincent Otti, says peace talks mediator Riek Machar.
The rebels have been trekking on foot through northern Uganda since a cessation of hostilities last month.
The LRA insists war crimes charges should be dropped against its leaders.
The UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland is joining the Ugandan government and LRA at peace talks in Juba in southern Sudan.
Mr Egeland has opposed an amnesty for the five rebel leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court.Mr Egeland has opposed an amnesty for the five rebel leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court.
But he said other forms of justice should also be used to ensure the brutal 20-year war is ended.But he said other forms of justice should also be used to ensure the brutal 20-year war is ended.
Uganda has offered an amnesty to LRA leaders in exchange for an end to the war but the ICC has refused to withdraw its international arrest warrants.Uganda has offered an amnesty to LRA leaders in exchange for an end to the war but the ICC has refused to withdraw its international arrest warrants.
Thousands have died during the conflict and more than one million have fled their homes.Thousands have died during the conflict and more than one million have fled their homes.
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LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny says the only way peace talks can make progress is for Mr Egeland to persuade the UN Security Council and the ICC to drop the charges.LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny says the only way peace talks can make progress is for Mr Egeland to persuade the UN Security Council and the ICC to drop the charges.
"The predominant feeling among all the stakeholders in the peace process is that the ICC warrant of arrest should be dropped against the LRA leaders, so that a peaceful conclusion to the talks can be reached," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The predominant feeling among all the stakeholders in the peace process is that the ICC warrant of arrest should be dropped against the LRA leaders, so that a peaceful conclusion to the talks can be reached," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Many LRA fighters were abducted as childrenMany LRA fighters were abducted as children
But Mr Egeland said it was up to the ICC to respond to the LRA's demand.But Mr Egeland said it was up to the ICC to respond to the LRA's demand.
"Those who have been indicted should face justice - but we should also use all other ways to deliver justice," he said, suggesting that even traditional systems could help."Those who have been indicted should face justice - but we should also use all other ways to deliver justice," he said, suggesting that even traditional systems could help.
Our East Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Mr Egeland is hoping to persuade both sides not to be sidetracked by the amnesty issue.Our East Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Mr Egeland is hoping to persuade both sides not to be sidetracked by the amnesty issue.
Dozens of rebels are trekking through the bush towards meeting points in southern Sudan - as agreed earlier on in the talks - but there are no arrivals reported yet.
Our reporter met a group of about 50 rebels, some 80km from the border.Our reporter met a group of about 50 rebels, some 80km from the border.
A 15-year-old Ugandan boy, George Ochera, told AFP news agency from Akworo, a village some 70 km (45 miles) from the border: "We saw 200 rebels camping here... Before, we were afraid of them but this time they said peace is coming."A 15-year-old Ugandan boy, George Ochera, told AFP news agency from Akworo, a village some 70 km (45 miles) from the border: "We saw 200 rebels camping here... Before, we were afraid of them but this time they said peace is coming."
The LRA has abducted thousands of children and forced them to fight since the conflict began.The LRA has abducted thousands of children and forced them to fight since the conflict began.
Aid workers say the flood of children - known as night commuters - that used to stream into northern Ugandan towns every night for protection from rebel attacks has now slowed to a trickle.Aid workers say the flood of children - known as night commuters - that used to stream into northern Ugandan towns every night for protection from rebel attacks has now slowed to a trickle.