afrol News, 19 August - The leader of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) wants to resume peace talks with the Ugandan government to end the conflict in the country's northern region, an aide to the UN envoy Warner Ten Kate said.

Joseph Kony has telephoned Joachim Chissano, the UN special envoy to northern Uganda, expressing his desire to resume talks.

"Kony talked to Mr Chissano saying he wanted to meet and we are working towards a meeting," Kate told 'AFP'.

The rebel group has been fighting the government for more than 20 years. Its leader claims to be defending the Ten Commandments.

In April this year, Mr. Kony refused to sign a peace accord sponsored by Sudan and the United Nations, expressing anger over the International Criminal Court's war arrest warrants against the LRA leadership over alleged war crimes.

A member of the government's delegation to the talks said the final peace accord could be signed within the next two weeks, ruling out the government's preparedness to enter into another round of negotiations with the rebels.

Steven Kagoda said since the talks and negotiations are over, both sides are waiting for the signing. He said the ball is now in Joseph Kony's court to show commitment. "If he is ready to sign, we are ready to sign," assured Kagoda.

Kony has also been living with fears of being arrested and tried after signing a peace deal.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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