Geneva, 3 February 2009 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has agreed with interested parties to act as an observer should Lords Resistance Army (LRA) second-in-command Okot Odhiambo surrender to Ugandan forces.
IOM, which has a long-standing history of providing reintegration and reinsertion assistance to former combatants around the world and in Uganda specifically since 2000, was recently contacted by Odhiambo expressing his desire to surrender.
Contrary to recent reports that Odhiambo, an indictee of the International Criminal Court (ICC), was to be transferred to Uganda by IOM and handed over to the Ugandan authorities, Odhiambo has in fact agreed to surrender to Ugandan forces with IOM as an observer. From that moment, Ugandan authorities will be responsible for Odhiambo.
IOM refutes allegations that it would be "obstructing justice" by not handing Odhiambo over to the ICC. IOM has no authority to arrest any individual or effect any transfer to the ICC. Nor does it have any information on Odhiambo's whereabouts or contact details.
IOM will support the Ugandan government by providing humanitarian and repatriation assistance to an estimated 85 abductees and LRA soldiers accompanying Odhiambo, including child and female soldiers. This assistance is part of IOM's ongoing work since 2008 with UN partners and in coordination with Uganda's Amnesty Commission, to provide reintegration and reinsertion support to former combatants from the LRA and ADF rebel groups. The release of the abductees will also bring to an end their painful ordeal and help reunite them with their families.
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For additional information:
Jean-Philippe Chauzy Tel: 41 22 717 9361 - Mobile: 41 79 285 4366 pchauzy@iom.int
Jemini Pandya Tel 41 22 717 9486-Mobile: 41 79 217 3374, jpandya@iom.int
6 hours ago
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