Government and LRA resumed talks 31 Jan after 6-month hiatus. Sept 2007 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement extended by 1 month and government reportedly  pushing  for  agreement  within  month.  Kony admitted  killing  deputy  Vincent  Otti  in  radio  interview; announced reshuffle of negotiating team including replacing top negotiator Martin Ojul with David Nyekorach Matsanga. 3 former LRA commanders given amnesty, 20 Jan, following Dec surrender to UN forces. Army launched crackdown on suspected collaborators with rebel Allied Democratic Forces, active in west since 1990s.

Ceasefire between government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) remained intact. Uganda-DRC agreement set 31 January deadline for LRA leader Joseph Kony to leave eastern DRC; extension to 15 March requested. President Museveni claimed Kony “not ready” for peace. UN Special Envoy Joaquim Chissano visited 12-18 December to consult all parties. LRA representatives ended reconciliatory tour of north, 11 December. Uganda-DRC border security pact signed, 15 December; meeting of Joint Committee for Border Re-marking due in Bunia 16 January 2008.

Ceasefire between government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) extended for 3 months, 3 November, as peace process continued. LRA negotiator Martin Ojul first rebel representative to visit Kampala since start of conflict in 1988. LRA peace team toured northern Uganda to consult with victims and ask forgiveness for wartime atrocities; continued to reject ICC indictment of leaders including Joseph Kony. Numerous reports suggested LRA deputy leader Vincent Otti executed under Kony’s orders. Kony denied accusation 15 November; claimed Otti “under house arrest”. 7 LRA defectors (including commanders) surrendered to UN forces in DRC, returning to Uganda 30 November under amnesty. LRA pledged to continue peace talks 19 November, but 2 stages remain in consultation process: talks unlikely before 2008.

“Consultation” process underway as LRA representatives visited Kampala 29 October to lay groundwork for higher-level meetings. Talks between government and LRA in Juba remain stalled as transitional justice issues unresolved. ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo insisted 11 October that LRA leaders be arrested; LRA accused Moreno-Ocampo of “undermining” mediation efforts. Ugandan reports of dispute between LRA leaders Joseph Kony and Vincent Otti denounced as “government propaganda” by rebels. UN officials in DRC announced LRA commander Opiyo Makasi in custody 23 October.

Juba talks between government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) still on hold after July recess. LRA presumed hiding in north east DRC. Presidents of Uganda, DRC signed 8 September agreement guaranteeing cooperation to eradicate “negative forces”, including LRA, by January 2008. LRA leaders denounced accord 12 September; threatened any attack would be “declaration of war”. Uganda said LRA should no longer be in DRC territory under ceasefire agreement; LRA second-in-command Vincent Otti said fighters were in southern Sudan. MONUC announced willingness to aide any action to remove armed groups from east DRC 16 September. Lake Albert clashes between DRC, Ugandan troops killed 6, 24 September (see DRC).

July peace talks recess extended. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) requested $2m to carry out national consultations on mechanisms for reconciliation and accountability. Government and international community initially rejected, but 14 August donors offered $600,000; LRA accepted. Government commenced own consultations 12 August, proposed local war crimes courts 20 August. LRA said proposal premature before consultations complete. Militia disarmament began in Eastern Equatoria in South Sudan, following LRA rebels’ June departure.

Peace talks between Ugandan government and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) staggered forward. Following 29 June agreement on reconciliation and accountability parties recessed to prepare for negotiations over possible mechanisms. Security in South Sudan improved after 800-1,000 LRA combatants moved from Eastern Equatoria to LRA’s base west of Garamba National Park in DRC. MONUC plans to monitor and deter possible LRA infiltration into DRC territory. But Uganda and Sudan failed to attend meeting of new joint mechanism established to coordinate efforts against LRA.

Talks between Ugandan government and LRA in Southern Sudanese capital Juba led to agreement on contentious third agenda point - accountability and reconciliation - 29 June. Both parties agreed national legal and institutional frameworks provide “sound basis” for ensuring accountability and reconciliation. Internal Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Ruhakana Rugunda stated Uganda would seek review of ICC indictments of 4 LRA commanders. LRA rebels continued to delay assembly in Ri-Kwangba, on Sudan/DRC border, as required by Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, scheduled to expire end June.

Talks between government and LRA in Southern Sudanese capital of Juba resulted in 2 May agreement on comprehensive solutions to the conflict, second of 5 issues on agenda. Talks resumed 31 May to tackle contentious issue of accountability and reconciliation: government reportedly seeks LRA acknowledgement it committed atrocities and is willing to undergo traditional reconciliation ceremonies, while LRA wants ICC indictments of 4 leaders including Joseph Kony and Vincent Otti dropped before it will sign comprehensive agreement. While calm prevails in northern Uganda, LRA continues to target civilians in South Sudan, and have not assembled at Ri-Kwangba, along Sudan/DRC border, as required by revised cessation of hostilities agreement. UN WFP convoy attacked in north eastern Karamoja region 30 May leading to temporary suspension of food aid.

Significant steps taken to get peace process back on track. In mid-April meeting chaired by UN Special Envoy, former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, government and LRA leaders renewed cessation of hostilities through end June, agreed to restart Juba talks 26 April under southern Sudanese VP Riek Machar’s mediation. 2 groups of rebel fighters in southern Sudan to converge in Ri-Kwangba; African Union, DRC and UN officials to help verify. LRA demanded 12- month suspension of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against leaders to complete peace process.