Uganda: After 20 years of violence negotiators decide to hold peace talks

Southern Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar, who is the chief mediator between the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army and Ugandan government officials, proposed on Monday an agenda for the talks that negotiators endorsed, said Capt. Paddy Ankunda of the Ugandan government delegation.

Photo: Uganda: After 20 years of violence negotiators decide to hold peace talks

Negotiators are later expected to discuss comprehensive solutions to the conflict, including economic and social reconstruction of northern and eastern Uganda. They will also negotiate reconciliation and accountability for those involved in the war, work out details of a formal cease-fire deal as well as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, rebel spokesman Obonyo Olweny told The Associated Press.

Machar presented negotiators with an agenda after they submitted to him their position statements during the first day of substantive talks between the foes in Juba, the south Sudanese capital.

On Monday, Sudan's Vice President Salva Kiir, who is also Southern Sudan's president, said in Kenya that the foes are likely to conclude a deal in two months' time.

The rebels spokesman, however, said they were not bound by any deadline.