PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CONFLICT IN NORTHERN UGANDA (13 December 2005)

That this House notes with deep concern the worsening humanitarian situation in Northern Uganda; condemns the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) atrocities including the abduction of over 25,000 children; calls on the LRA to cease all acts of violence immediately; further notes the evidence that the conflict in what is the longest-running war in Sub-Saharan Africa is now a threat to peace and security in the Central Africa and Great Lakes Region and the newly established peace agreement in Sudan; further notes that many humanitarian operations are now restricted or suspended since the killing of five aid workers; further notes that there has been no UN Security Council resolution since the war in Northern Uganda began in 1986 and January 2006 will be the 20 year anniversary of the start of the conflict; believes that, during the Presidency of the EU, the United Kingdom Government has shown leadership in persuading governments to agree an EU statement urging the government of Uganda to take action to protect its civilians; calls on the Government to do all in its power to utilise the unique opportunity of the United Kingdom Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in December to push for a resolution as part of a broader plan of action; and further calls on the Government to press for a UNSC resolution which urges the government of Uganda to fulfil its responsibility to protect its civilians through the adoption of a strategy that focuses on providing security and protection, which guarantees unimpeded access for aid agencies and which pursues a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Sponsored by:
Dr David Drew (Labour)