afrol News, 23 March - Uganda's Lord Resistance Army (LRA) said it wants the inclusion of the security adviser to the Ugandan President, General Salim Saleh, to be among the government negotiators. The rebel leaders had earlier asked the government to include the names of state officials and African countries or else it would snub future peace talks.

The leadership of Uganda's brutal LRA rebels is convinced by the security chief's strives in the previous failed peace talks and believes that a lasting peace accord would be signed if General Saleh is among the negotiators.

Also described as a brother to President Museveni, General Saleh is said to be among the few Ugandan officials who galvanises respect from the LRA leadership. This was evidenced when the LRA leader, Joseph Kony, named his son after Mr Saleh, who was the then army chief of Uganda.

General Saleh said he would not hesitate to be part of the peace negotiators - but only if he was asked by the head of state.

Mr Saleh is the third government official asked by the LRA to be included in the peace negotiations. Ministers of Security and Foreign Affairs - Amama Mbabazi and Sam Kutesa - were asked by the LRA to be among the peace brokers. But this bit the dust.

Some weeks back, the LRA asked for the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from South Sudan - the venue of the peace talks - in addition to allocation of US$ 300 as daily allowances for the LRA delegates and also the inclusion of representatives of South Sudan and five African countries.

The UN envoy and former President of Mozambique, Joachim Chissano, is leading the talks between Uganda and its north-eastern rebels, who are accused committing grotesque atrocities and gross violations of human rights.

However, despite the hiccups and returning new LRA demands, the Interior Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, who leads the Ugandan government delegation, was optimistic of the resumption of the talks soon.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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