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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ugandan rebels assemble in Sudan | Ugandan rebels assemble in Sudan |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The first group of rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army have arrived at assembly points in southern Sudan - as part of a truce with the government. | The first group of rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army have arrived at assembly points in southern Sudan - as part of a truce with the government. |
| At least 400 rebels have arrived at two sites and include deputy leader Vincent Otti, according to peace talks mediator Riek Machar. | At least 400 rebels have arrived at two sites and include deputy leader Vincent Otti, according to peace talks mediator Riek Machar. |
| The rebels have been trekking on foot through northern Uganda since a cessation of hostilities last month. | The rebels have been trekking on foot through northern Uganda since a cessation of hostilities last month. |
| The LRA insists war crimes charges should be dropped against its leaders. | The LRA insists war crimes charges should be dropped against its leaders. |
| According to the terms of the deal, the rebels will be protected by the southern Sudanese and the government has undertaken not to attack them. | According to the terms of the deal, the rebels will be protected by the southern Sudanese and the government has undertaken not to attack them. |
| "They have shown up in the western assembly point in Ri-Kwangba. They have also shown up in Owiny-ki-Bul," southern Sudan's vice president Riek Machar told reporters. | "They have shown up in the western assembly point in Ri-Kwangba. They have also shown up in Owiny-ki-Bul," southern Sudan's vice president Riek Machar told reporters. |
| Talks | Talks |
| The UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland is joining the Ugandan government and LRA at peace talks in Juba in southern Sudan. | |
| Many LRA fighters were abducted as children | |
| Mr Egeland has opposed an amnesty for the five rebel leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court. | Mr Egeland has opposed an amnesty for the five rebel leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court. |
| But he said other forms of justice should also be used to ensure the brutal 20-year war is ended. | But he said other forms of justice should also be used to ensure the brutal 20-year war is ended. |
| Uganda has offered an amnesty to LRA leaders in exchange for an end to the war but the ICC has refused to withdraw its international arrest warrants. | Uganda has offered an amnesty to LRA leaders in exchange for an end to the war but the ICC has refused to withdraw its international arrest warrants. |
| Thousands have died during the conflict and more than one million have fled their homes. | Thousands have died during the conflict and more than one million have fled their homes. |
| Block | Block |
| LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny says the only way peace talks can make progress is for Mr Egeland to persuade the UN Security Council and the ICC to drop the charges. | LRA spokesman Obonyo Olweny says the only way peace talks can make progress is for Mr Egeland to persuade the UN Security Council and the ICC to drop the charges. |
| "The predominant feeling among all the stakeholders in the peace process is that the ICC warrant of arrest should be dropped against the LRA leaders, so that a peaceful conclusion to the talks can be reached," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "The predominant feeling among all the stakeholders in the peace process is that the ICC warrant of arrest should be dropped against the LRA leaders, so that a peaceful conclusion to the talks can be reached," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
| But Mr Egeland said it was up to the ICC to respond to the LRA's demand. | But Mr Egeland said it was up to the ICC to respond to the LRA's demand. |
| "Those who have been indicted should face justice - but we should also use all other ways to deliver justice," he said, suggesting that even traditional systems could help. | "Those who have been indicted should face justice - but we should also use all other ways to deliver justice," he said, suggesting that even traditional systems could help. |
| Our East Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Mr Egeland is hoping to persuade both sides not to be sidetracked by the amnesty issue. | Our East Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Mr Egeland is hoping to persuade both sides not to be sidetracked by the amnesty issue. |
| Our reporter met a group of about 50 rebels, some 80km from the border. | Our reporter met a group of about 50 rebels, some 80km from the border. |
| She says they were tired and hungry and finding it difficult to walk in their wellington boots until they were given flip-flops by the Ugandan army. | |
| A 15-year-old Ugandan boy, George Ochera, told AFP news agency from Akworo, a village some 70 km (45 miles) from the border: "We saw 200 rebels camping here... Before, we were afraid of them but this time they said peace is coming." | A 15-year-old Ugandan boy, George Ochera, told AFP news agency from Akworo, a village some 70 km (45 miles) from the border: "We saw 200 rebels camping here... Before, we were afraid of them but this time they said peace is coming." |
| The LRA has abducted thousands of children and forced them to fight since the conflict began. | The LRA has abducted thousands of children and forced them to fight since the conflict began. |
| Aid workers say the flood of children - known as night commuters - that used to stream into northern Ugandan towns every night for protection from rebel attacks has now slowed to a trickle. | Aid workers say the flood of children - known as night commuters - that used to stream into northern Ugandan towns every night for protection from rebel attacks has now slowed to a trickle. |