No More Ceasefires, Says Army

Sub-Saharan Africa - Uganda
7 Apr 2005 - New Vision

THE army is not interested in any more ceasefires with the LRA rebels, the army spokesman has said.

Shaban Bantariza said, "We have done it several times with no fruits. So why should we do it again?"

He was responding to a call last weekend by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU) that the government declare another ceasefire to get the peace process on course.

"We urge the government to offer an extended ceasefire as an incentive for the LRA leadership to re-establish contacts. Only a substantial ceasefire will enable negotiators to build confidence and work together to plan a process for long-term peace," the CSOPNU statement read.

But Bantariza said such extension would be of no purpose going by past experiences.

"We encourage them (CSOPNU) to declare their ceasefire if they wish. For us we are not ready," Bantariza said on Monday.

CSOPNU also urged the LRA to stop killing and abducting civilians.

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