N. Ugandans Make New Start Despite Absence of Final Peace Deal

The climate for resettlement is changing in northern Uganda. With peace talks between the government and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) inching closer toward a final settlement, improved security is encouraging many internally displaced people (IDP’s) to return home to resume farming their lands and rebuilding their communities. Advocate researchers Melanie Teff and Camilla Olson of the group Refugees International have spent the past month surveying the transition process and assessing conditions for ensuring a voluntary process of return. Back in Washington, Camilla Olson says that with rebel leader Joseph Kony delaying to sign a final peace agreement (FPA), many of the IDP’s are temporarily resettling in two places, with one foot in their interim camps and transit sites and the other foot implanted back in their... [read full story]