U.N. ready for return of Ugandan rebel captives
By: Daniel Wallis

August 28, 2006 – (Reuters) The United Nations and aid workers prepared on Monday to receive hundreds of children who are supposed to be freed under a landmark truce between Uganda's government and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

Under the deal agreed on Saturday at peace talks in southern Sudan, the guerrillas -- and their ranks of abducted child soldiers, porters and sex slaves -- have three weeks to assemble at two south Sudan camps while negotiations continue. "We are standing by to help ensure the safe and smooth release and return of women and children who have been separated from their communities for so long," said Chulho Hyun, Uganda spokesman for the U.N. children's charity UNICEF.

Northern Uganda's 20-year conflict is one of Africa's longest wars. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced by fighting between troops and LRA rebels infamous for forcing thousands of abducted children to serve the cult-like group. Many are indoctrinated into the movement by being made to kill or mutilate neighbours, other children and relatives. Young girls are handed out to rebel commanders as "wives".

Both sides have now agreed to cease all attacks, and if the truce holds, several hundred children may begin trudging into the Sudanese camps in the coming days. "The immediate priority will be taking care of whatever medical needs they may have. Then there are longer term concerns. Being away from society for so many years, many children may have serious psycho-social traumas," Hyun said. "Child mothers and girls who were "married" to the LRA may face extra problems of stigmatisation and fear," he added.

The possibility of the abductees finally coming home was given an extra boost on Sunday when LRA deputy leader Vincent Otti called a northern Ugandan radio station to back the truce. Fighters in the north should join whichever of two commanders was closer and await further instructions, he said in a satellite telephone call to Mega FM in Gulu town from his jungle hideout in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. On the way, they should not kidnap or harm anyone, ambush Ugandan soldiers or loot any food or supplies, Otti ordered.

Ugandan state media said up to 200 LRA, including women and children, were already walking towards Uganda from the rebels' main base deep in Congo's remote Garamba forest. Quoting security sources, it said it seemed the group intended to surrender, but that Ugandan troops on the border had been reinforced and put on high alert for any eventuality.

"We can't take any chances," said one military spokesman. Otti and his boss Joseph Kony are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and have so far stayed hidden in Congo. LRA officials insisted on Sunday that both men would move to the Sudan camps in the 3-week deadline.

From: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28839948.htm