Press Room > Oxfam Ireland Press Release
January 27th 2004
Embargoed until 00:01 GMT Thursday 27th January 2005
Oxfam: UN must act to bring peace to Northern Uganda
The United Nations Security Council has today been urged to use its influence to bring peace to northern Uganda. Oxfam is calling on Security Council members at their New York meeting today, to end their long-standing neglect of the war in northern Uganda, and publicly push for peace.
The UN Security Council is meeting in New York today to hear about the impact of the fighting on civilians. The meeting comes as northern Uganda teeters on the brink of a full return to war. A recent ceasefire agreement broke down in December and since then both sides have carried out attacks.
"The United Nations Security Council has been appallingly negligent of the conflict in Uganda, failing to pass a single resolution on the conflict. This meeting must herald the start of a united drive for peace with high-level international support. It's not too late to rescue the ceasefire and move towards peace, but we need action now," said Emma Naylor, Head of Oxfam in Uganda.
The fighting has already had dire humanitarian consequences for the 1.6 million people affected by this conflict and undermined trust in the peace process. Oxfam urges the United Nations' Security Council to publicly commit its political and moral support for the current peace process and put pressure on both parties to work for peace.
"The UN must do everything in its power to ensure that the recent breakdown of peace talks does not signal a return to all-out war. With the Tsunami and Iraq dominating the news, Uganda mustn't become the silent victim," added Emma Naylor.
Oxfam is calling on the government of Uganda to commit to a meaningful extension of the ceasefire. A renewed ceasefire is desperately needed to create space for open dialogue and an opportunity to make a real break with the past. Oxfam is also calling for the rebel Lord's Resistance Army to respond constructively to the draft agreement.
"The ceasefire must be given another chance. The six weeks before the ceasefire broke, saw enormous progress and raised hopes, they must not be dashed now," added Emma Naylor.
Facts and figures
The Acholi areas of Northern Uganda have suffered from persistent insecurity since the mid 1980s. For nearly 20 years, the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) has waged a civil war against the Government ofUganda. The LRA has targeted the people across Northern Uganda (from Adjumani to Soroti) and in the sub-region, including South Sudan.
This has led to massive and persistent disruption, hardship, dislocation and suffering for the people within that region and far beyond. It is now one of Africa's longest running open conflicts and more than 1.5 million people have fled their homes.
Civil Society Organisations for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU) is a coalition of about 40 national and international NGOs from across Uganda working together to support a just and lasting peace in the North. CSOPNU has produced reports of major national significance in key thematic areas including: protection of civilians, land rights, protection of children, national identity and the obstacles to peace. CSOPNU research showed that the conflict has cost Uganda's national economy at least US$1.33 billion since it started, approximately 3% of GDP or US$100 million annually.
Contacts:
Oxfam
Gemma Swart Uganda + 254 733 632 810
Emma Naylor Uganda +256 777 10017