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Ugandan LRA rebel Otti 'is dead' Ugandan LRA rebel Otti 'is dead'
(31 minutes later)
The second in command of the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels, Vincent Otti, is dead, south Sudan's deputy leader Riak Machar has confirmed.The second in command of the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels, Vincent Otti, is dead, south Sudan's deputy leader Riak Machar has confirmed.
"I was officially informed by [LRA leader] Joseph Kony that Vincent Otti is dead," said Mr Machar, who is mediating peace talks in south Sudan."I was officially informed by [LRA leader] Joseph Kony that Vincent Otti is dead," said Mr Machar, who is mediating peace talks in south Sudan.
He broke the news after meeting members of LRA negotiating team, following their return to the talks venue.He broke the news after meeting members of LRA negotiating team, following their return to the talks venue.
The LRA had previously insisted Mr Otti was alive and under house arrest.The LRA had previously insisted Mr Otti was alive and under house arrest.
'Absent'
Mr Machar, who has been mediating the peace talks in the southern Sudanese capital, Juba, since they began in July 2006, said he was told of Mr Otti's death by a special envoy sent by Mr Kony.
They did not tell me whether he was killed or he died of disease Riak MacharSouth Sudan's vice-president
"The word used was that Mr Vincent Otti is absent. And when I asked if "absent" was dead, they said yes," Mr Machar told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
"They did not tell me whether he was killed or he died of disease," he said.
His statement is the first authoritative confirmation of deputy LRA leader's death, which Mr Machar said probably occurred on the 3 November.
Late last year, Mr Kony said Mr Otti was under arrest for being a government spy.Late last year, Mr Kony said Mr Otti was under arrest for being a government spy.
But a diplomatic briefing, based on witness testimony, alleged Mr Otti was executed by fellow officers on Mr Kony's orders.But a diplomatic briefing, based on witness testimony, alleged Mr Otti was executed by fellow officers on Mr Kony's orders.
The LRA's spokesman, Godfrey Ayoo, has reportedly said he will make a statement about Mr Otti, but as yet has not commented on the news and cannot be reached by phone.
New teamNew team
The statement by Mr Machar, who has been mediating the peace talks in the southern Sudanese capital, Juba, since they began in July 2006, is the first authoritative confirmation of Mr Otti's death. Mr Machar also confirmed that the LRA has changed its negotiating team, with David Masonga taking over from Martin Ojul as the team leader.
Mr Machar also confirmed to the BBC that the LRA has changed its negotiating team, with David Masonga taking over from Martin Ojul as the team leader.
Mr Masonga told the BBC that the previous delegation was dragging its feet and not making progress towards a peace settlement, expected by March.Mr Masonga told the BBC that the previous delegation was dragging its feet and not making progress towards a peace settlement, expected by March.
Mr Machar also said that the LRA has given an assurance that they are ready to resume talks as early as next Monday with the Ugandan government.Mr Machar also said that the LRA has given an assurance that they are ready to resume talks as early as next Monday with the Ugandan government.
Mr Otti was one of four other LRA commanders wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed during their 20-year insurgency.Mr Otti was one of four other LRA commanders wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed during their 20-year insurgency.
Mr Kony, who is one of those indicted, is in hiding in the remote north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.Mr Kony, who is one of those indicted, is in hiding in the remote north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The LRA were notorious for mutilating victims and kidnapping children to be fighters, porters and sex slaves.The LRA were notorious for mutilating victims and kidnapping children to be fighters, porters and sex slaves.