Uganda Says Kony “Ready to Sign Peace Deal”

Ugandan army spokesman Major Paddy Ankunda says the leader of the country’s rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has confirmed his readiness to sign a final peace deal with the government. Ankunda says LRA leader Joseph Kony telephoned South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar, who is mediating between the two sides, and requested for a government team to meet him for the signing. The army spokesman says a government team will head out Monday, accompanied by UN special envoy Joaquim Chissano, hoping to meet Kony in South Sudan. Last month, Kony indicated a renewed interest in the peace agreement, which he refused to sign in April, insisting on the dropping of an International Criminal Court indictment against him. [PE]