Oxfam urge UN to bring peace to Uganda

The Civil Society Organisations for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU) is a coalition consisting of around 40 national and international NGO's from across Uganda. They have united together with the aim of building fair and lasting peace in the north of the country, as nearly two million people have fled their homes in a conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda - a conflict that has lasted 19 years.

There has been continuous insecurity since the mid-1980's in the Acholi areas of northern Uganda as the civil war has been devastating Northern Uganda, from Adjumi to Soroti, and has even affected areas of south Sudan.

It is one of Africa's longest proceeding conflicts which has led to massive disruption, hardship suffering and dislocation.

"In the last few months we have seen a significant rise in violence in northern Uganda," said Oxfam's Country Program Manager, Emma Naylor, as LRA has committed many terrible cruelties. The security in camps has declined greatly, which has led to attacks and abductions.

As the water and food supplies are insufficient and hundreds of thousands of civilians remain in immediate need, Oxfam is urging the international community for humanitarian assistance and protection. The UN under-secretary-general for Humanitarians Affairs, Jan Egeland, will for the second time this year brief the Council to discuss the forgotten emergencies of Africa.

"It's all very well to plan for post-war reconstruction, but the fighting is getting worse. Hundreds of thousands of people still live in fear of attack. The UN must take a lead on ensuring the protection of civilians, including urging the Government of Uganda and LRA to renew the ceasefire and recommit to negotiations towards peace," stated Emma Naylor