By Timothy Nsubuga

8^th Nov 2010

Accused LRA rebels

The Lord’s Resistance Army [LRA] rebels have among other armed groups been accused of harassing civilians in Southern Sudan.

On her first full day of a six-day mission to Sudan, Ms. Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination said, “…harassment and violence against humanitarian workers is unacceptable and I am concerned for their security”.

She also noted that although violence in southern Sudan has decreased compared last year, ethnic conflict, politically-motivated unrest and attacks by armed gangs believed to be members of the Lord’s Resistance Army continued to impede humanitarian operations in the region.

Reacting to the allegations made by the UN’s Valerie Amos, the acting leader of the LRA/LRM peace team Mr. Justine Labeja Nyeko refuted the allegations to Uganda Correspondent, arguing that “…the LRA/M takes great offense to being described as ‘an armed gang group’ out to impede the activities of the UN and other humanitarian agencies operating in South Sudan”.

He added that “…LRA/M is not, and has no role in prosecuting war against the peoples and, or governments, or UN agencies, nor against any humanitarian organisations operating in South Sudan. It has never been, and, still is not LRA’s policy to target or impede any activities of humanitarian agencies”.

During her visit, Ms Valerie Amos also urged the administration in Southern Sudan to ensure the protection of aid workers.  Humanitarian agencies have reported a worsening operating environment in the region in recent months with 118 incidents of interference with aid delivery seen this year.

Ms. Amos said despite the prospects for a good harvest in 2011, food shortages this year, coupled with seasonal floods and continuing insecurity have led to precarious humanitarian conditions.

In Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan, Ms. Amos met the President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir, government officials, donor representatives, UN and non-governmental organization officials.  Discussions focused on insecurity and humanitarian access to people in need.

She asked the Government to renew its commitment to ensure that the delivery of humanitarian assistance is unhampered and allowed to proceed without any political, ethnic or religious considerations.

On the ongoing spontaneous return of displaced people to their villages, as well as the Government of Southern Sudan’s accelerated return initiative, Ms. Amos stressed that the process must be voluntary and orderly.  “…Ensuring that returns take place in a free and principled manner is the responsibility of the government”, she said.

She also said humanitarian workers are ready to assist where there is clear humanitarian need and where the government is unable to provide the required support.  END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.