U.S. URGES SIGNING OF FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT FOR NORTHERN UGANDA

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman

March 21 2008

The U.S. fully supports and welcomes the recent rapid progress in the Juba Peace Process.  We urge the parties to sign the Final Peace Agreement on or before March 28 to demonstrate their commitment to peace and to send a strong signal of that commitment to both the international community and northern Ugandans. 

We appreciate the mediation efforts of the Government of Southern Sudan and the facilitation role played by African and other international observers during the Juba Peace Process. These efforts have created the best opportunity to date to end peacefully the 22-year conflict between the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army that has seriously harmed civilian populations and destabilized the region. 

As an observing party, we intend to participate fully in the proposed Oversight Forum, which would be formed to assist with implementation of the agreements.  We will continue collaboration with the Government of Uganda to provide development support for northern Uganda and demobilization, disarmament, and resettlement assistance for ex-combatants.