AFTER NINETEEN YEARS You may not have noticed that a war came to an end as of this past week.
We are quick to notice when another one get started, but we seldom get to witness the actual “completion” of a real war. They usually just sort of fizzle out with with a kind of political whimper after which they are, more or less, forgotten – except by those few remaining persons who were physically a part of the actual fighting. They, I dare say, may never, actually forget how it was in the pinching inner folds of their feelings – the shy tissues of their soul
This rather small, unknown war ended, it seems by means of a telephone call from Juba, a town in southern Uganda along the border with the Sudan in Africa. A government spokesperson by the name of Paddy Ankunda said that an agreement had been reached at the talks to cease all hostilities... (quote) “when the rebel leader Joseph Kony announces a cessation no later than Tuesday.” We assume they found Kony in time and that the agreement was made officially binding.
The rebels have three weeks during which they are to gather at assembly in southern Sudan and Northern Uganda where “they can be monitored.” They will be given food and safe passage, official said, but too where and for how long is not mentioned. Trust is a rather a thin layer on the latest plan because seems the Rebel group had already announced a cease fire and Uganda force has killed three of their fighters. This War Lord's Army, as it has been called, was a sort of remnant – never really large numerically – possibly five thousand or so- from a rebellion against Uganda President Museveni in 1986. They specialized, it is claimed, in kidnapping Ugandan children and of forcing them into becoming fighters, servants or sex slaves.
The road to understanding has been a troubled one. Serious talks actually began in July resulted in a quick series of delays and temporary walkouts by both groups.
Such little wars come and go and are often almost lost in the larger scene. We might find it wise to start examining these “junior” class wars. The true cause may be far more visible in the smaller version than in the more complex “Adult” disagreements.
Peace, after nineteen years of war – is, I would imagine, most welcome this week in Uganda.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-26-06 [c414wds]
