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UGANDA URGED BY FRANCE TO BOOST SECURITY FOR CAMPS IN NORTHERN REGION February 5, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) Uganda’s government was on Saturday called upon by France's foreign minister to boost security at camps for the 1.6 million people devoured by war in the remote north of the country. Reports Reuters
Rima Salah, deputy executive director of the U.N. children’s charity UNICEF, accompanied France's foreign minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy on his visit to northern Uganda.
War in Northern Uganda has lasted for nearly two-decades claming millions of lives and leaving fertile land deserted and villagers sheltering in scores of squalid settlements.Meanwhile Uganda's government says about 50 people were abducted by Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in January, although it says many of them were later released after being forced to carry supplies for the guerrillas.
"I would like the Ugandan authorities to maximise security at the camps, and to make efforts for the education and reintegration of these children," Douste-Blazy said
"The security of the camps depends first and foremost on the Ugandan forces." He added.
France is set to chair a U.N. Security Council working group meeting on children in war zones on Feb. 21 in New York.
Douste-Blazy held private talks with aid workers, local officials and children formerly in LRA captivity In Gulu, in Northern Uganda. He said he wanted to see the "tragedy" of the child soldiers first hand before reporting to the Security Council.