Ancient rituals may help end brutal war

UGANDAN MPs are considering making ancient reconciliation rituals part of the country's legal system in an effort to help end one of Africa's longest wars, a leading politician said yesterday.

Peace talks are due to resume in southern Sudan this week between government negotiators and representatives of the elusive Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, whose leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

But the LRA's leader, Joseph Kony, and his deputy, Vincent Otti, have stayed away from the negotiations, saying they fear being arrested and shipped to the Hague to stand trial.

Now leaders of their northern Acholi tribe want to formalise traditional rituals including Mato oput, a ceremony of confession and forgiveness. They say the ICC could then drop its charges in favour of national reconciliation.

"Amnesty only means you renounce rebellion. Mato oput is a public ceremony to disclose your crimes and ask for forgiveness face-to-face," said Norbert Mao, chairman of northern Uganda's Gulu district - the epicentre of the LRA conflict.

"These rites could give the prosecutor a strong case to withdraw."

Mr Mao, an opposition politician who won a landslide victory at local elections in March, last month led a delegation of Acholi elders to a rebel hideout in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The cult-like LRA launched one of the world's most brutal insurrections from northern Uganda 20 years ago, killing and mutilating civilians before moving to southern Sudan. Lately, it has been hiding in the lawless jungles of eastern Congo. On Friday, it declared a unilateral ceasefire.

Despite the LRA's atrocities, Mr Mao said the rebels should seek forgiveness and be allowed to return home.