UGANDA 26/2/2004 19:37

TRANSFORMING THE NORTHERN CRISIS INTO AN ETHNIC CONFLICT IS IRRESPONSIBLE

Church/Religious Affairs, Brief

It is irresponsible to put the Acholi against the Lango, transforming the crisis of North Uganda into an ethic conflict". This was the statement made by the Archbishop of Gulu, Monsignor John Baptist Odama - also Chairman of the ARLPI (Acholi Religious Leader's Peace Initiative), inter-religious cartel for years seeking a negotiated solution to theNorth Uganda into an ethic conflict". This was the statement made by the Archbishop of Gulu, Monsignor John Baptist Odama - also Chairman of the ARLPI (Acholi Religious Leader's Peace Initiative), inter-religious cartel for years seeking a negotiated solution to the North Ugandan crisis - in a brief interview with MISNA, in commenting the tension that broke out yesterday in Lira during the peace march in memory of the Barlonyo victims.

 "I personally feel that some local political leaders released some unfortunate statements and that in some ways are heading this ethnic conflict that in reality does not exist. The Acholi, as also the Lango and other ethnic groups that populate North Uganda, are the first victims of the LRA (lord's Resistance Army, rebels that for 17 years have reaped terror and violence in the zone) and are merely full of anger and fear", explained the Bishop. "As ARLPI we have issued a statement, calling on the Acholi, Lango and all other ethnic groups to not take up arms against each other. 

The government must guarantee security, while both (government and rebels) have the obligation to re-see their positions and seek a positive solution that preserves human life". Monsignor Odama underlined to MISNA that o avoid transforming the crisis of North Uganda into an ethnic conflict it is "fundamental to not arm the local militias". The Bishop explained that the numerous armed self-defence groups, formed in the past months to back up the Ugandan armed forces in confronting the rebel attacks, risk becoming a threat in the long run. 

"The government must understand that if it does not immediately control this phenomenon, later it could be too late", added the prelate. "Arming an angry and terrorised population is dangerous; it is very dangerous and risks hurdling Uganda into an ethnic conflict, until a short while ago inexistent", concluded the prelate.

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