Uganda: Museveni Rejects LRA Trial in The Hague  

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has said that leaders of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) would face local justice, rather than being tried at The Hague.  

Mr Museveni who spoke in London, said that local tribal elders had asked that LRA leaders be made to face trial locally instead of been taken to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.  

In his words, “What we have agreed with our people is that they should face traditional justice, which is more compensatory than a retributive system. If that's what the community wants, then why would we insist?”  

Three top LRA officials including leader Joseph Kony are to face prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The LRA leaders are insisting that the war crimes indictments be vacated before signing a deal to end the long, brutal conflict.  

The Uganda government and the LRA have been holding peace talks for the past 18 months in the Southern Sudan's capital, Juba.  

Mr Kony, LRA’s leader has always sent his representatives to the talks as he has refused to put up a personal appearance, fearing arrest. He remains in a jungle hideout in the remote north-east of Democratic Republic of Congo.  

The Deal 

One of the accords from the talks deals with justice and accountability, and it was agreed that a special division of the Uganda High Court will be set up to try those accused of serious crimes while other fighters would face traditional justice.  

The LRA leaders could be required to apologise for their actions and make a payment to local elders, but they would avoid prison sentences.  

Uganda's president does not have the power to make the ICC withdraw the arrest warrants although they were issued at the request of his government - before peace negotiations began.  

The 22-year rebellion in northern Uganda has left thousands dead and nearly two million displaced.  

Meanwhile, Ugandan rebels have welcomed comments by President Yoweri Museveni suggesting their leaders would avoid prison and not have to face an international court if they sign a peace deal. 

Despite coming close to a final accord with the government, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) representatives insist that any deal hinges on the International Criminal Court dropping war crimes charges against their leader Joseph Kony and his two deputies. 

Museveni said a peace deal would allow the LRA commanders to atone for crimes through a traditional "blood settlement", avoiding prison and judgement by the ICC. 

The LRA's chief negotiator David Nyekorach-Matsanga said by telephone from The Hague that “President Museveni is now speaking the right language. We would appreciate it if he goes ahead and implements what he is talking about.” 

Local Justice 

Elders from the LRA's Acholi tribe have long called for Kony and his henchmen to face “Mato Oput” justice. 

The ritual involves a murderer facing relatives of the victim and admitting his crime before both drinks a bitter brew made from a tree root mixed with sheep's blood. 

The government has said it will only ask the ICC to scrap indictments once a peace deal is signed. 

Museveni's remarks in London came after the ICC asked for more information on the jurisdiction of the proposed Ugandan court in a letter to the government dated February 29. 

 

BBC/Reuters/AOA/ Qasim