(An update on the Northern Uganda Peace Talks)

Over the last two years, life has begun to return to normal in Northern Uganda. Large numbers of the almost 2 million internally displaced people (IDP’s) throughout the region have started to leave the appalling conditions of camp life behind and have begun to resettle back to their ancestral lands. The child “night commuters” that used to walk miles each night to the relative safety of the towns to sleep on concrete verandas out of fear of being abducted has virtually stopped and the makeshift shelters erected for them dismantled. Those once dependent on meager food rations to survive, are now tending to their own gardens in the hope that their crops will yield a plentiful harvest. People have been filled with optimism that the mediated dialogue between the Ugandan government and the rebel force called the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) known as the Juba peace talks will be fruitful and solidify an end to over 22 years of war. Recently however, new events have occurred which threaten to shatter the relative peace that northern Uganda has been experiencing.

Talks to end the conflict have been on-going since July of 2006 which put forth a framework that would both end active violence and address deeper social and political grievances. As of the end of February, all of the agenda items included in this framework had been agreed upon, with the implementation schedule and final agreement the only remaining components to be signed. However, the LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony failed to turn up for the final signing ceremony in April that would solidify the agreement, due to concerns over how he would face justice for war crimes he committed. The agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation reached in Juba last year between the two parties stipulate that the LRA leadership shall be tried in a Special Division of the High Court in Uganda and also by using Acholi traditional justice mechanisms (Mato Oput) which Kony has agreed to. What has created a great obstacle to solidifying the agreement is the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants that have been laid against Kony and other top commanders in the LRA. While the ICC has stated that they would consider dropping the charges if Uganda can prove that they have the means to make the arrests and bring those indicted to justice, this has proven to be difficult. As a result a stalemate has been reached.

In response to Kony’s failure to sign the final peace deal, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has since officially declared the talks over and on June 2nd, made public their plans to re-launch a military offensive against the rebel group. Uganda’s Army and Defence Publicist Paddy Ankunda echoed his statement by saying: “the negotiations are no more, the man [Kony] doesn’t know what he wants and we have resolved to go the military way.” At the African Union (AU) summit in Egypt last week, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa warned that Kony was re-arming, and said the United Nations should boost its peacekeeping force in the DRC to contain or catch him.

Out of all the attempts to bring peace to Uganda, the Juba peace talks were thought to be the most likely to restore and sustain relative peace to the region. Knowing that a resurgence in violence will cause suffering to many innocent civilians throughout the region, those closest to the grassroots level have cried out to the government to be patient and continue mediated dialogue with the LRA.

While the Ugandan government is sounding the drums of war, the LRA has recently stated their commitment to the peace talks. Speaking from Juba, south Sudan's capital, the U.N. envoy Joachim Chissano reported on June 5th that he had spoken to Kony by satellite telephone. He stated that Kony confirmed that he is committed to signing the final peace deal and wanted another meeting with the mediation team. Previously in an interview with Radio France International, Kony stated: “I want the talks to resume in Juba. I want to go back to the negotiating table again [because] I don’t want to fight again and believe talk can end everything. There is going to be peace through negotiations. I am the one that started the peace talks, so I am not going to refuse anything that will bring peace. I am going to struggle to make sure that this war is resolved.”

Despite such remarks, due to Kony’s failure to show up to prior meetings, many are finding it difficult to trust such a statement. Others have even gone so far as to accuse Kony of taking advantage of the process to rebuild his force through abductions in the Sudan, DRC, and the Central African Republic (CAR) where it is reported that over 1000 people have been captured over the last 5 months, the youngest being 6yrs old. Regardless of whether Kony is serious or not to return to the table, the Ugandan government has made it clear that negotiations are over. In response to Kony’s statement, spokesman for the Ugandan government, Capt. Chris Magezi stated: “We only hope that he will put his pronouncement into practice. We note however, that negotiations were concluded and there will be no re-opening of the negotiations whatsoever.”

Fighting between the LRA and SPLA (South Sudan forces) has been reported in areas bordering Uganda. In response, the government of Uganda has increased its number of forces guarding the border and has assured its people that no LRA have entered the country. However, those who have been victims of LRA attacks have heard these words before and place little trust in the government’s ability to protect them by preventing the LRA from returning to the region.

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The drums of war have been beaten, and the sound has once again brought fear to those who have lived through the violence before. Despite the government urging people to stay calm and not to stop moving back to their villages, fear is prevalent. When in Kitgum (area bordering Sudan) recently, one person said: “when night comes, we enter hell.” He spoke of the attacks that used to happen at night, his escape after being abducted by the rebels, and the renewed fear he now has for his family. Another Ugandan man in his 60’s mentioned: "The last time the rebels came we ran for days and I was almost dying. Now we hear that they are coming again and we are very scared.” There are reports that people have begun to sell off their livestock in preparation for fleeing if violence breaks out once again.

Please join with me to pray for peace for northern Uganda as well as its neighboring countries. Please pray for the safety of those abducted so that one day they can return to their families and for the hearts and minds of the warring parties to be moved towards reconciliation and peace rather than violence. And most of all, please pray for the millions of innocent people who are picking up the pieces of their lives and trying to move forward despite the hardships they have endured. May the drums of war be silenced, and may the melody of peace prevail.

“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:26-28

Every year on the 16th of February, many Anglicans make the pilgrimage to the small town of Mucwini, located in the district of Kitgum, Northern Uganda to commemorate the death of the Ugandan martyr, Archbishop Janani Luwum who met his untimely demise at the hands of the former Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin.

Recently the Hollywood movie, “The Last King of Scotland,” portrayed the volatile nature of Amin whose oppressive regime brutally destroyed anything that challenged his authority. Such threats included the Christian church resulting in the death of many Christian believers during his time in power.

While many Christian leaders fled Uganda to seek protection during this tumultuous period in Ugandan history, Luwum stayed behind ignoring the pleas of both the community and his wife to pursue safety outside the country. In response to such requests he was reported to have said, “Only those who are guilty run.”

Instead of abandoning those whom he was ordained to lead, Luwum continued to fearlessly speak out against the horrific actions carried out by Amin’s regime, to plea for the release of those who unjustly found themselves in conflict with the national security forces, and began a welfare relief program for those families and individuals who could not go back to their homes in fear that they would be abducted and/or killed by the government.

However, on Feburary 16th, 1977, two years before Amin would be ousted; Amin’s regime grew weary of Luwum’s opposition and ordered the death of the Archbishop sending him home to be with the Almighty God. He was then laid to rest on the grounds of an Anglican church in Mucwini; the place he called home. Luwum lived standing beside the broken, the hungry, the hurt, and the oppressed and as a result payed the ultimate sacrifice to do so, his life.

While the oppression of Idi Amin is no more in Uganda, the message Luwum left behind is still poignant given the current suffering and destruction resulting from over 21 years of civil war in the north. Throughout the conflict, the Ugandan church has been posed with the question as to what their role should be in resolving the crisis. Some like Amin feel as though the church should altogether refrain from becoming involved with those issues that fall along political lines and instead should practice a strict adherence to the separation of church and state. Many proponents of such a stance support this position by saying that the business of the church is only that of the soul and all other matters are to be dealt with solely by elected government officials. However history has showed what happens as the church becomes a passive bystander and even at times a facilitator of gross injustices as witnessed both in World War II and the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Believing in the great potential of the church, others like Ugandan Rev. Dr. Henry Okullu take a different stance and state that, “the primary duty of the church is to pray and work for peace and reconciliation among men hence the realization of Gods kingdom here on earth.” Such a proactive position is rooted in the teachings of Christ for the bible makes it clear God’s stance on what the role of the Christian church should be regarding a world full of injustice.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus fearlessly spoke out against the evil in this world and gave a voice to the voiceless such as women and children. He knew the risks of standing up for the oppressed, yet out of His love for all of mankind, He never wavered and continued to stand up for truth and justice even though he knew it would cost Him his life. It was the ultimate sacrifice He was willing to make for each and every one of us.

Today in Uganda, others are following in the footsteps of those like Archbishop Janani Luwum whom, inspired by their faith are tirelessly working on behalf of those they are called to lead despite the impending risks. One such group is the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI). Since 1997, the religious leaders from the 4 major religions (Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim) in the sub-Acholi region of northern Uganda united for the common cause to lead their flocks out of the violent conflict that has devastated the region. These actors have undertaken numerous peace building activities which adhere to their commitment to finding a lasting non-violent resolution to the conflict. Their unique and creative approach to advocacy has helped bring the much needed international attention to the forgotten war and their courage to meet in the bush with LRA leaders to encourage dialogue between rebel and government leaders is undeniably inspiring. While such initiatives have also brought hardships to the leaders such as at times being labeled, “rebel collaborators” and one even being injured in the crossfire, they continue to this day to press forward in their pursuit of holistic peace for all of Uganda. Like the good shepherd, when the wolves come to attack, they did not run away in fear but instead courageously meet them head on.

Rev. Gatkouth Chol Bol, of Sudan said, “God created mankind to live in a state of peace, and He is working to restore us to this condition in our hearts, souls, minds, strength, and relationship.” Wherever you are in the world, as ambassadors of Christ, each and every one of us has a part to play in the pursuit of peace. There is an Ethiopian proverb that says, “when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” If we all join together like the religious leaders of northern Uganda to stand up for those who are oppressed and experiencing grave injustices, surely the enemy who comes to steal and destroy all that is good will have no power against us. But when we become apathetic and do not act because among other reasons, it might disrupt our current level of comfort, the enemy has us right where he wants us. As the people in biblical times waited for the great liberator what would free them from Roman oppression, Jesus Christ showed us that indeed we all can be actors in the pursuit of peace if we let Him work through us. May we all be stirred to action and step out despite our fears confidently knowing that the Christ will never forsake us or leave us as we labor for the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Peace be with you now and always.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast to celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:22-24.

Over the last number of years, I have come across thie well known, “Parable of the Lost Son,” from which the above passage originates numerous times. Once while studying this scripture in a small group, I remember being asked which character from the parable I relate to most. Depending on the season that I found myself in, I have in the past identified with the jealous older brother and at other times the joy of the father. However, as a new chapter of my life has recently begun here in Uganda, the individual in the parable that resonates deeply with me is that of the ‘lost son.’ Let me explain.

A couple of days after arriving in Uganda, I departed Kampala and traveled to a village in Kitgum located in the far north of the country. The purpose of my visit was to learn about the ways and customs of the Acholi people as well as to informally study the language.

Upon arrival to the compound of my host family, I was first greeted by the children who began to perform songs of welcome. As I stood enjoying the moving music, one by one the other family members began to appear, some greeting me with a handshake and others with a warm embrace. Lastly, the head of the household approached with a bright smile on his face. Upon taking my hand into both or his, he said, “Welcome our lost first born.”

Still holding my hand, I was then led to the home where the family's best furniture had been brought outside and placed in the shade of the veranda. There to greet me were respected community members as well as friends of the family who had all been informed of my arrival. As I took my seat in the reserved place of honor, the women who had all briefly disappeared began to return placing dish after dish of food before me.

The amazing spread of food made it hard to believe that I was in a land which has been devastated by war and highly dependant on humanitarian aid. However, the distended bellies of some of the children who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the visitor were a grounding reminder of what hardships the people of this region continue to experience.

After eating I was then led to a traditional round 'ot' made from bricks smeared over with mud topped with a grass thatched roof. I later learned that the home had specifically been built for me to ensure I was most comfortable during my stay. The family had labored for weeks making the bricks, weaving the bamboo together to form the roof, and harvesting both the mud and grass that would make up the rest of the structure. I was then left to bathe and rest after the long journey that I had just completed.

As I received blessing after blessing throughout my time with this phenomenal family, the phrase, “lost first born,” continued to play in my mind. The “Parable of the Lost Son,” paints a picture of a father who rejoices that his son has returned despite his wrong doings. Although the son is not worthy, to his surprise, the father continues to make sacrifices in order to bless his beloved child.

During the two weeks I stayed in Kitgum, I have received more than my share of blessings. Not because I deserved them, but because I was sincerely loved by those entrusted to care for me. While the war has caused much suffering throughout Acholiland, it is certainly evident that it has not taken away the peoples ability to love. They have been crushed and pressed on every side, yet continue to push forward in faith, hope and love. The kindness and sheer amount of sacrifice which the family endured in order to ensure a comfortable stay, was extremely humbling.

Many times in my life I have taken the blessings I receive for granted or have felt that it was my hard work that produced such fruits. However, everything I have has only been entrusted to me by God, including every breath I take. I have been reminded that I therefore need to daily make the choice as to whether I will use my life to bring glory to Jehovah Jirah or whether like the 'lost son', squander what has been bestowed upon me.

In the parable, the story does not go on to say whether or not the 'lost son' has permanently changed his ways. However, after the outstanding experience I had during my homestay, I trust the love he experienced was as transforming for him as it was for me. May I forever be mindful of the sovereignty of God and what he desires me to do with the blessings He pours out upon me.

Peace be with you, now and always.