Presidential candidate Barack Obama sends Resolve Uganda statement calling situation in northern Uganda "heartbreaking"

Presidential candidate Barack Obama sent us a letter today responding to the thousands of letters he's received from concerned citizens about the war in Uganda. This is the first (of what we hope will be many) statement from either of the presidential candidates about the war and a great sign that they will respond to the issues that people bring to their attention.

Here's what we had to say:

Dear Resolve Uganda members:

Thank for contacting me about the human rights situation in Africa, and Uganda in particular.  I appreciate knowing your concerns on this important matter. 

I share your distress about the widespread violence that continues to consume countries such as Sudan and Uganda.  I also remain concerned with the poor human rights records of many African governments.  The U.S. can clearly do more in these areas, and as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Africa Subcommittee, I have made assisting in resolving conflicts a priority. 

The situation in Northern Uganda is heartbreaking.  The government has been unable to end a brutal insurgency in the north and west of the country; Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have killed and kidnapped many thousands of people – including children; and displaced close to two million more.  The conflict has also spilled over in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan. I am somewhat encouraged by apparent progress in ending the conflict between the LRA and the government of Uganda. A group of Ugandan politicians, journalists, and civic leaders visited my office and were guardedly optimistic. They did express the strong need for U.S. engagement in helping end the conflict once and for all.  The Bush Administration and the international community can and should do more to resolve this horrendous situation, and I will continue to press this case.

In addition to looking at ways in which international peacekeeping forces might be established in places of extreme conflict and unrest, we must do everything we can to ensure that there are viable alternatives to participating in violence in these countries, especially for young people.  It is my hope that Congress can increase funding for a range of foreign assistance programs – from conflict reconciliation to economic development to governance and rule of law to international health – that will help address some of the root causes of human rights abuses and violence in Africa. 

Again, thank you for contacting me.  Please continue to stay in touch during the days ahead.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama