According to a government spokesman, there could be a final peace deal that can be signed in the near future. However, the rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LDA) has refused to disarm themselves. Three of the leaders are on the wanted list by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. The LDA has been known for using methods of brutality.
Currently, the LDA has a deadline of February 28 to stop the war. BBC said that the agreement is one major and vital step towards having peace in the nation of Uganda.
Under the special court, there will be a unit that will launch investigations. Special attention would be on human rights violations against both women and children. The unit will be hunting down the major players in the LDA that either planned or executed attacks serious and/or systematic.
According to Captain Chris Magezi, spokesman for the negotiating team, the Ugandan High Court will set up a special group to deal with the rebel crimes that are deemed extremely serious. The typical penalties will be given for the much lesser crimes.
“This is an indication that soon we will be signing the final peace agreement,” Magezi had said.
James Obita, the deputy negotiator for the LRA had also given confirmation on the deal.
“In negotiations you never get it all but the LRA is happy with the agreement and is committed to the contents,” Obita said said to Reuters.
For at least two decades, many people have been killed due to fighting with the LRA. Many more have been displaced. The rebel group has the notoriety for training child soldiers and training other children to be porters or sex slaves. They are also known for mutilating their victims.
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