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Uganda drops peace talks deadline | Uganda drops peace talks deadline |
(40 minutes later) | |
Ugandan has dropped its deadline for the conclusion of peace talks, while rebels continue to gather in assembly points, as agreed in a ceasefire. | Ugandan has dropped its deadline for the conclusion of peace talks, while rebels continue to gather in assembly points, as agreed in a ceasefire. |
The rebel Lord's Resistance Army's leader Joseph Kony, is said to be near an assembly point, but it is unclear if he has crossed into southern Sudan. | The rebel Lord's Resistance Army's leader Joseph Kony, is said to be near an assembly point, but it is unclear if he has crossed into southern Sudan. |
The rebels have been trekking on foot through northern Uganda since a cessation of hostilities last month. | The rebels have been trekking on foot through northern Uganda since a cessation of hostilities last month. |
President Yoweri Museveni had given the LRA until 12 September to reach a deal. | President Yoweri Museveni had given the LRA until 12 September to reach a deal. |
"There's not really a deadline any more," government delegation spokesman Capt Paddy Ankunda told Reuters news agency. | "There's not really a deadline any more," government delegation spokesman Capt Paddy Ankunda told Reuters news agency. |
Assembly | Assembly |
The chief mediator at the talks, Riek Machar, says several hundred rebels and Mr Otti are now at the assembly points - one of which is near Uganda and the other near the Democratic Republic of Congo. | The chief mediator at the talks, Riek Machar, says several hundred rebels and Mr Otti are now at the assembly points - one of which is near Uganda and the other near the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
The LRA commanders fear arrest warrants could scupper the talks"They have shown up in the western assembly point in Ri-Kwangba. They have also shown up in Owiny Ki-Bul," Mr Machar said from south Sudan capital, Juba. | The LRA commanders fear arrest warrants could scupper the talks"They have shown up in the western assembly point in Ri-Kwangba. They have also shown up in Owiny Ki-Bul," Mr Machar said from south Sudan capital, Juba. |
"Vincent is definitely there, behind the lines Joseph [Kony] himself is there. It is big progress that they have accepted to go to the assembly areas," Mr Machar said. | "Vincent is definitely there, behind the lines Joseph [Kony] himself is there. It is big progress that they have accepted to go to the assembly areas," Mr Machar said. |
Uganda's International Affairs Minister Henry Okello told journalists in the capital, Kampala, that Mr Otti had not yet reached the assembly point. | |
However, he said the government was not concerned, as he had shown that he was on his way out of the bush. | However, he said the government was not concerned, as he had shown that he was on his way out of the bush. |
"We will see whether Kony and Otti and the LRA are there, then decide our next move," Capt Ankunda said. | |
Earlier a senior United Nations official, who attended the peace talks, said the LRA planned to release the women, children and other non-combatants they are holding. | Earlier a senior United Nations official, who attended the peace talks, said the LRA planned to release the women, children and other non-combatants they are holding. |
UN Humanitarian Affairs chief Jan Egeland said the UN would help those released by the rebels return to their communities. | UN Humanitarian Affairs chief Jan Egeland said the UN would help those released by the rebels return to their communities. |
Deal | Deal |
The LRA insists war crimes charges should be dropped against its leaders. | The LRA insists war crimes charges should be dropped against its leaders. |
According to the terms of the deal, the rebels will be protected by the southern Sudanese and the government has undertaken not to attack them. | According to the terms of the deal, the rebels will be protected by the southern Sudanese and the government has undertaken not to attack them. |
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. |