SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ‘SENSELESS MASSACRE’ IN NORTHERN UGANDA

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ‘SENSELESS MASSACRE’ IN NORTHERN UGANDA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the senseless massacre of at least 190 civilians, including many women and children, in a displaced persons camp near Lira in northern Uganda on 21 February.  The massacre was reportedly carried out by the Lord’s Resistance Army and comes some two weeks after yet another massacre of civilians in a displaced persons camp in the area.  United Nations agencies in Uganda are on standby to bring assistance to the survivors as soon as safe passage to the area is guaranteed.  The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous crime.  The Secretary-General appeals to all those at the national and international level who are in a position to stop the terrible cycle of violence in northern Uganda to do their utmost to protect innocent civilians.

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