Uganda: Cutting a Deal With the Islamic Courts of Somalia

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February28, 2007: The government has contacted representatives of the Islamic Courts militia in Somalia to "discuss" Uganda's peacekeeping deployment in Somalia. The Ugandan peacekeepers will not disarm (the Islamists) but "help the transitional government" (of Somalia) do so. The Ugandans stress that their forces are not a threat to the Islamic Courts. The United States is paying for the peacekeeping mission, via the African Union.

February 22, 2007: The LRA said that all of its forces had left the two assembly areas in south Sudan: Ri-Kwangba and Owiny Ki-Bul. Both areas are near the Sudan's border with the Congo. The LRA rebels have "security concerns." But LRA rebels are leaving the assembly areas, which were a key part of the peace negotiations. The ceasefire expires at the end of February. However, both the government and the LRA have indicated they intend to keep the peace process going.

February 19, 2007: The army returned 1,100 cattle stolen cattle to herdsmen in the Karamoja district. The cattle had been stolen by approximately 200 Karamojong warriors. The army recovered the cattle after a firefight with the warriors. At least 80 warriors died in the fight. The soldiers were supported by recon helicopters. The return of the cattle caps a difficult week in Karamoja. On February 12 the Karamojong warriors fired on a group of soldiers and killed four. The army reinforced the brigade (about 2000 troops) in the area and counter-attacked. The cattle were recovered as part of the operation.