This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/5359118.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Uganda's peace deadline slipping Ugandan peace deadline extended
(1 day later)
The leaders of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army have not arrived at assembly points in Sudan hours before a deadline expires, officials say. Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels are to be allowed a few more days to arrive at assembly points in Sudan set up as part of a three-week truce.
As the midnight (2100GMT) deadline nears, the Ugandan government hinted that it could be extended. Interior Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said he was waiting for ceasefire monitors to give details from reception areas.
A Sudanese mediator said the LRA had already missed the deadline. LRA leaders had not arrived as the deadline expired on Tuesday.
The peace talks are seen as the best chance of ending the 20-year conflict in northern Uganda, which has led more than 1m people to flee their homes.The peace talks are seen as the best chance of ending the 20-year conflict in northern Uganda, which has led more than 1m people to flee their homes.
'Violation''Violation'
The government and the LRA are due to continue their talks in southern Sudan later this week.The government and the LRA are due to continue their talks in southern Sudan later this week.
Interior Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda played down the significance of the deadline. Mr Rugunda has played down the significance of the deadline.
Our troops will continue to move to the assembly areas... There are just a few left LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny "Generally, the government is happy with the progress over the last three weeks. We have all witnessed a lot of LRA rebels moving to assembly points in southern Sudan," he said.Our troops will continue to move to the assembly areas... There are just a few left LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny "Generally, the government is happy with the progress over the last three weeks. We have all witnessed a lot of LRA rebels moving to assembly points in southern Sudan," he said.
But he refused to say how many fighters had gathered.But he refused to say how many fighters had gathered.
At the Ri-Kwangba assembly point on the Sudan-Democratic Republic of Congo border, mediator Maj Gen Wilson Deng said that 800 LRA fighters had gathered so far but that more still had to come.At the Ri-Kwangba assembly point on the Sudan-Democratic Republic of Congo border, mediator Maj Gen Wilson Deng said that 800 LRA fighters had gathered so far but that more still had to come.
"They have missed the deadline and it is going to be considered a violation on their part," he said."They have missed the deadline and it is going to be considered a violation on their part," he said.
LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny, however, denied that they had broken the terms of the truce agreement signed three weeks ago.LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny, however, denied that they had broken the terms of the truce agreement signed three weeks ago.
He told the BBC's Focus on Africa that there was a provision for a two-week extension and said the rebels remained committed to the truce.He told the BBC's Focus on Africa that there was a provision for a two-week extension and said the rebels remained committed to the truce.
"Our troops will continue to move to the assembly areas... There are just a few left," he said."Our troops will continue to move to the assembly areas... There are just a few left," he said.
He would not say how many were left or to give the location of LRA leader Joseph Kony or his deputy Vincent Otti.He would not say how many were left or to give the location of LRA leader Joseph Kony or his deputy Vincent Otti.
Mr Rugunda also hinted at an extension:Mr Rugunda also hinted at an extension:
"We will discuss with the LRA team about the new deadline for the cessation of hostilities agreement.""We will discuss with the LRA team about the new deadline for the cessation of hostilities agreement."
ReluctantReluctant
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says many Ugandans are sceptical that Mr Kony will appear by the time the deadline expires. The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says many Ugandans are sceptical that Mr Kony will appear .
Correspondents say the LRA leaders had been reluctant to show themselves for fear of being arrested under warrants issued by the world court.Correspondents say the LRA leaders had been reluctant to show themselves for fear of being arrested under warrants issued by the world court.
But Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has offered them amnesty if a solid peace deal is achieved, to the annoyance of the International Criminal Court.But Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has offered them amnesty if a solid peace deal is achieved, to the annoyance of the International Criminal Court.
The government has said it would set up a legal committee to advise the government on legal issues arising from the peace talks.The government has said it would set up a legal committee to advise the government on legal issues arising from the peace talks.
Jan Egeland, the United Nations emergency relief co-ordinator, has urged the UN Security Council to back the peace process rather than seeking to secure the arrests of the rebel leaders at all costs.Jan Egeland, the United Nations emergency relief co-ordinator, has urged the UN Security Council to back the peace process rather than seeking to secure the arrests of the rebel leaders at all costs.
"This is the best chance we have ever had for peace in northern Uganda," he said."This is the best chance we have ever had for peace in northern Uganda," he said.
An estimated 20,000 children have been kidnapped during the insurgency, with girls forced to become domestic and sexual slaves and boys turned into child soldiers, according to the UN.An estimated 20,000 children have been kidnapped during the insurgency, with girls forced to become domestic and sexual slaves and boys turned into child soldiers, according to the UN.