Calling on Government of Uganda and Lord's Resistance Army to Recommit to Political Solution in Northern Uganda

Floor Speech

CALLING ON GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA AND LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY TO RECOMMIT TO POLITICAL SOLUTION IN NORTHERN UGANDA -- (House of Representatives - June 18, 2007)

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Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from California and also the honorable gentlewoman from Florida for their support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 80, a resolution that I introduced which calls on the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army, or the LRA, to recommit to a political solution to the conflict now raging in northern Uganda, and to recommence and sustain vital peace talks.

It also urges immediate and substantial support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and the international community.

When it comes to international affairs, Mr. Speaker, the Congress is somewhat limited in the action that it can take to address issues of concern. As we all know, it is primarily and rightfully a function of the executive branch. However, we do have the right and the ability to use this platform to focus attention on human suffering around the globe, if only for a moment.

So now is our moment to put a spotlight on the situation in northern Uganda. The situation has been explained by both the gentlewoman from California and the gentlewoman from Florida so I will not duplicate what they have said.

My sincere hope is that H. Con. Res. 80 will help bring peace to the ravaged region of northern Uganda. Specifically, this bill calls on the Government of Uganda and the LRA to recommit to a political solution to the conflict in northern Uganda and to sustain the vital peace talks that are now ongoing. It also urges immediate and substantial support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and the international community.

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy in Darfur rightfully has been receiving a great deal of attention as of late, but to the southeast of that region, another tragedy has been developing for nearly two decades. More than 200,000 Ugandans have died from the violence and disease brought about by the conflict between the Ugandan Government and the LRA.

Almost 2 million people have been displaced from their homes and villages, having been forced to flee the violence. What is particularly disgusting about this conflict is the forced recruitment of children by the LRA. As many as 38,000 children have been abducted. The boys are turned into killing machines and the girls into sex slaves.

Former U.N. Under Secretary General Jan Egeland has called the crisis in northern Uganda ``the biggest forgotten, neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today.''

Today, with the passage of H. Con. Res. 80, I hope to take a small step toward changing this unfortunate truth, and I respectfully ask that my colleagues support the resolution.

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