Uganda's Lord Resistance Army (LRA) declared a ceasefire on Friday and called on the government to lay down its arms ahead of peace talks due to resume in south Sudan next week, Reuters reported. A spokesman contacted by satellite telephone at the rebels' camp in Democratic Republic of Congo said the cessation of hostilities was issued by the rebels' deputy commander Vincent Otti, on behalf of LRA leader Joseph Kony. "I order all of our field commanders to with immediate effect cease all forms of hostilities against UPDF (Ugandan army) positions and others," Otti said in the statement. "We hope that the government reciprocate this gesture of goodwill so that both parties may finally sign a bilateral agreement to provide a peaceful atmosphere while the peace talks continue."
