LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF ASKS YOU TO PUSH FOR PEACE IN UGANDA

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ACTION ALERT 1/22/2008

Recently, there have been several serious developments in the ongoing crisis in northern Uganda which threaten to plunge the region back into conflict.

Peace talks have started to break down. Divisions within the Lord’s Resistance Army leadership and delays in the negotiations have undermined the momentum toward a peace deal. In response, the Government of Uganda has threatened military action against the rebel group if progress is not made by January 31.

Even if the Ugandan government does not follow through on this threat, it still signals a further deterioration of confidence in the peace process and could create a return to violence.

The U.S. government, as a strong supporter of the Government of Uganda, has a strong role to play in forging a path toward peace.

The next three months are critical for peace talks, and the prospect of seeing a peaceful end to the conflict. Instead of sitting by and watching this chance for peace vanish, we can come together and let our government know our concern. Too much progress has been made to only return back to violence. The people of northern Uganda have placed their hopes in these negotiations.

Take Action

During this critical moment we at Lutheran World Relief encourage you to:

1. Contact your Representative or Senator on this pressing issue. Ask to speak to the foreign policy aide and say:

“I am (name) from (city, state). I would like to voice my concern for the fragile northern Uganda peace talks. I ask (Representative or Senator) to call the State Department to urge the U.S. Government to ensure that this historic opportunity for peace is not lost. In addition, I ask you to work with the Congress to re-emphasize the importance of this process and increase our support for the Government of South Sudan mediating team and UN Special Envoy Joaquim Chissano.”

2. Become a “piece of the peace” in Uganda by participating in Lobby Days for Northern Uganda from February 24 to 26 in Washington, DC. This will be a way for you to voice your concern for the fragile Uganda peace talks.

This year, over 1,000 participants from across the U.S. will gather to learn more about northern Uganda. Participants will have the opportunity to ask members of Congress to support ongoing peace talks in Uganda and funding for resettlement and reconstruction efforts in the north.

Please visit http://www.ugandalobbyday.com/ to learn more and to register for this exciting event!

Prayer

We give thanks for peace in our lives and for the opportunity to support peacemakers in Uganda. We pray that our efforts will serve to strengthen the spirit of reconciliation in Uganda and offer support to victims of the conflict. We pray that the Lord’s strength will sustain the countless individuals in Uganda who have long awaited stability and peace in their lives and in their land.

Thank You

Lutheran World Relief thanks you for taking the time to be a part of this opportunity for northern Uganda!

For more information, or to join the LWR advocacy network individually, please contact advocacy@lwr.org.

Visit Lutheran World Relief’s advocacy partner Resolve Uganda for further information on the situation in northern Uganda.

Promote peace by sending a beautiful post card to your members of Congress. email aromoser@lwr.org to place a free order. Post cards will be sent to you. Post cards can be distributed at events, to your congregation or among family and community members. Each post card contains specific policy recommendations to help the U.S. Congress better promote peace in Uganda. The more postcards sent, the stronger our message for peace! Download preview PDFs of the post cards you will receive: | Uganda |

 

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.

YOU CAN HELP

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For more information, please contact advocacy@lwr.org.