Salva Kiir to LRA: Sign Peace Deal or Leave Sudan

May 23, 2008 (Juba) – The President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardiit, has called on the Lord’s Resistance Army to sign a peace agreement with the Ugandan government or leave of southern Sudan.

Addressing SPLM delegates in Juba on Thursday, Mr. Kiir also warned the LRA that GOSS will use military force to push LRA out of Sudan unless it shows it is committed to reaching a peace deal with the Ugandan government.

In the meantime, he said, GOSS will continue to mediate between LRA and the Ugandan government.

Last month, LRA leader Joseph Kony declined to sign a peace deal with the Ugandan government, saying the International Criminal Court must first drop war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against him.