To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the prospects of the Lord’s Resistance Army taking part in forthcoming peace talks in Uganda; and what steps she is taking to help bring about a peaceful resolution to hostilities in Uganda. (110709)

The mediation process in Juba, southern Sudan, between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan Government is clearly very fragile. The announcement by the LRA on 12 January that they will not return to Juba is disappointing. The Ugandan Government and the talks mediator, Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar, have confirmed that they wish to resume discussions in Juba and the LRA need to do so as well.

We have provided financial support to the talks process and continue to urge all parties to demonstrate a strong commitment to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, which will allow the communities of northern Uganda to start rebuilding their lives.