134: another turnaround in Northern Uganda?

There is cause for cautious optimism in Uganda today, as a deal has now been reached between the national government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army - just one day after the LRA negotiators walked out on peace talks. The talks had been edging closer to resolution for some time (see earlier post on this blog, Day Twenty-One) but were thrown out of kilter when the LRA made a series of demands that the government rejected. As today's linked article from BBC online reports, however, the LRA now seem to have accepted a compromise deal, putting the peace process back on track - at least, for now. The situation is obviously very fragile, but as this very informative older BBC story reports, the local communities are already feeling some benefit from the lull in violence. Roads can be more safely traveled, kids can play in the bush again, and families are rebuilding their homes. The scars from this 20-year conflict will take many, many years to heal. But as of today, at least, it seems less likely that new wounds will be inflicted on these communities. (Photo of boys in the fields around their village - from BBC online.)