The Strategy for Peace
U.S. and International Leadership Needed
Despite the neglectful and indifferent approach the international community has taken toward the crisis in northern Uganda for over twenty years, peace is still within reach. The current negotiations between the Ugandan government and rebel Lord's Resistance Army present the best opportunity to peacefully end the war since its beginning, but lasting peace is not possible until the legacy of neglect and inattention is overcome with responsible engagement and action. Increased support is urgently needed to ensure a peace agreement is reached and to address the longstanding consequences of displacement and insecurity.
Given its strong influence and interests in the region, the U.S. in particular has both the capacity and incentive to see that the people of northern Uganda's hopes for peace are not disappointed.
There are three simple things our leaders should do right now to ensure that this opportunity is not missed:
- Dispatch a diplomat: Immediately dispatch a senior diplomat to work with the mediation team and use the U.S.' significant leverage to make sure all parties respect the ceasefire and remain committed to securing a peace settlement.
- Amplify assistance: Increase humanitarian aid in the region to save lives and help war-affected communities cope with the consequences of the crisis.
- Protect the people: Use our development assistance and diplomatic leverage to stop human rights abuses committed by Ugandan security forces and to help deploy a police force capable of protecting the local population from rebel attacks.