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Uganda rebel negotiator resigns Ugandan negotiators leave talks
(20 minutes later)
The chief negotiator of the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), David Matsanga, has resigned. Ugandan government negotiators have left talks in southern Sudan following delays in agreeing a peace accord.
His decision comes amid delays to a final peace agreement with Uganda's government to end a two-decade war. The team's chief negotiator, Ruhakana Rugunda, said they would return if the rebel group was ready to sign.
Officials say LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to come out of hiding to sign at an official ceremony on Thursday until key issues are clarified. Earlier the chief negotiator of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), David Matsanga, resigned.
Dr Matsanga's resignation came amid continued delays to a final peace agreement with the government aimed at ending twenty years of conflict.
Rebel and government negotiators had been gathered in a clearing on the Sudan-Congo border waiting for the LRA leader Joseph Kony to sign the agreement.
But officials say Mr Kony refused to come out of hiding to sign at an official ceremony on Thursday until key issues are clarified.
The Ugandan-LRA conflict has cost tens of thousands of lives and is notorious for atrocities against children.The Ugandan-LRA conflict has cost tens of thousands of lives and is notorious for atrocities against children.
Mr Kony had been expected to sign the document in southern Sudan on Thursday. But he did not appear. Dr Matsanga told journalists he was tired of the situation and did not feel he could do anything more.
Mr Matsanga told journalists he was tired of the situation and did not feel he could do anything more.
He also admitted that he had not spoken to Mr Kony for four days.He also admitted that he had not spoken to Mr Kony for four days.
Communication breakdownCommunication breakdown
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in southern Sudan says there has been very little communication between Mr Kony and others at the peace talks.The BBC's Sarah Grainger in southern Sudan says there has been very little communication between Mr Kony and others at the peace talks.
The LRA are notorious for mutilating victimsThe LRA are notorious for mutilating victims
Mr Kony sacked his previous negotiator in December and brought in Mr Matsanga in January. Mr Kony sacked his previous negotiator in December and brought in Dr Matsanga in January.
He has signed a number of interim deals on behalf of Mr Kony since then.He has signed a number of interim deals on behalf of Mr Kony since then.
Mr Kony and two of his commanders are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for alleged war crimes.Mr Kony and two of his commanders are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for alleged war crimes.
During peace talks, which began in 2006, it was agreed that a special division of the Uganda High Court would be set up to try those accused of serious crimes.During peace talks, which began in 2006, it was agreed that a special division of the Uganda High Court would be set up to try those accused of serious crimes.
But news agencies reported that Mr Kony wanted further reassurances about the mechanisms that would be used to try LRA members for war crimes.But news agencies reported that Mr Kony wanted further reassurances about the mechanisms that would be used to try LRA members for war crimes.
If the deal is signed, the rebels will then have 30 days to assemble in southern Sudan before disarmament and demobilisation are scheduled to begin.If the deal is signed, the rebels will then have 30 days to assemble in southern Sudan before disarmament and demobilisation are scheduled to begin.
LRA negotiators have already said their fighters will not disarm unless the ICC arrest warrants are removed.LRA negotiators have already said their fighters will not disarm unless the ICC arrest warrants are removed.
Announcing the delay to the signing, South Sudan's Vice-President Riak Machar sounded upbeat, and said he hoped it would still happen before the end of the week.Announcing the delay to the signing, South Sudan's Vice-President Riak Machar sounded upbeat, and said he hoped it would still happen before the end of the week.
But correspondents say the resignation of Mr Matsanga has thrown some doubt on proceedings.But correspondents say the resignation of Mr Matsanga has thrown some doubt on proceedings.
The signing ceremony was supposed to go ahead last week but was postponed at Mr Kony's request.The signing ceremony was supposed to go ahead last week but was postponed at Mr Kony's request.
The signing was rescheduled to take place on Thursday at a camp in the jungle town of Ri-Kwangba in southern Sudan.The signing was rescheduled to take place on Thursday at a camp in the jungle town of Ri-Kwangba in southern Sudan.
Our correspondent says mediators and the United Nations have transformed the bush close to the venue of the signing ceremony into an elaborate camp, complete with electricity and a hot buffet.Our correspondent says mediators and the United Nations have transformed the bush close to the venue of the signing ceremony into an elaborate camp, complete with electricity and a hot buffet.
They have flown in dozens of journalists to report on the event.They have flown in dozens of journalists to report on the event.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is due to sign separately on Monday in southern Sudan's capital, Juba.Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is due to sign separately on Monday in southern Sudan's capital, Juba.