§ 6. Valerie Davey (Bristol, West)What plans he has for the United Kingdom to have a mediation role in resolving the conflict in northern Uganda. [132003]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Chris Mullin)We do not consider that there is a role for UK mediation at this stage, nor has the Ugandan Government requested it. We are, however, providing support to a number of civil society groups engaged on peace issues, including the Acholi religious leaders, who we believe are best placed to act as mediators. We will continue to work with our development partners in urging both the Government and Lord's Resistance Army to demonstrate their commitment to dialogue. We welcome President Museveni's reaffirmation of his readiness for dialogue during his independence day speech on 9 October.
§ Valerie DaveyMay I thank my hon. Friend for his and the Government's commitment to northern Uganda? In the light of the increasingly violent and volatile situation reported again only this week, can he say what opportunity remains for the international community to take some action?
§ Mr. MullinMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to what is an extremely serious situation in northern Uganda. The prospect of peace in Sudan, which the LRA often uses as a safe haven, will make it easier to put pressure on that organisation. We are also anxious to encourage dialogue between the Government of Uganda and the LRA, which is rather difficult given that the LRA does not have negotiable demands. That is the only way forward, however, because, as my hon. Friend knows, a military solution has been tried, and it has not worked—it has only led to a great deal more suffering. We continue to remain closely engaged with both the Ugandan Government and the Acholi leaders, and our high commissioner is in northern Uganda today.
§ Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South)Does the Minister agree that, in effect, the conflict in northern Uganda is between the Islamic values of the Sudan and the Christian values of Uganda? What we are seeing there is a microcosm of the conflict between the two religions that we find elsewhere in the world.
§ Mr. MullinI had not heard that explanation of the difficulties in northern Uganda. It is a very serious and complex situation, but it would be difficult for followers of any religion to justify the terrible atrocities that the LRA has been carrying out against innocent people in northern Uganda.
§ Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)I have just returned from a visit with the all-party group on the great lakes region and genocide prevention, and I declare the appropriate interest. May I say that there was a great regard for the role of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in seeking to influence Uganda 11 and Rwanda in particular towards peace? That influence was never more necessary if genocide and conflict is to be avoided.
§ Mr. MullinI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his kind remarks. We all understand that a great deal more work remains to be done before we see peace and the rule of law restored to that area, but there has been some progress.
§ Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)The Minister is right, of course, to condemn the LRA. He will be aware that it has abducted something of the order of 20,000 children in northern Uganda over the last five years. He will also be aware, however, that President Museveni has requested that signals intelligence and other intelligence aid be provided to the Government and army of Uganda to assist them in their fight to protect the people of Uganda from that terrible terrorist organisation. What precisely are the Government doing, or what will they do, to assist President Museveni and the people of Uganda?
§ Mr. MullinWe have already done a great deal as regards helping Uganda to recover from the dreadful situation that President Museveni inherited when he took office some years ago, and he is the first to acknowledge that. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman will expect me to get involved with the precise details of any military assistance that we are giving to Uganda, but I repeat what I said earlier: ultimately, there is no military solution. Some way will have to be found of establishing contact with the LRA and of putting an end to this dreadful rebellion. The military solution has been tried, but it has not worked.