NGOs Urge Bush to Raise N. Uganda Crisis At G-8 Summit

A letter to President Bush, signed by heads of 11 US-based aid groups, urges him to raise the humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda when he meets with Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, at the G-8 summit in Georgia this week.

The letter notes that attacks against civilians and the abduction of children by the rebels have dramatically increased since the 2002 launch of a military campaign to quash the rebellion. The letter calls on Bush to urge Museveni to take a series of steps to address the crisis. These include an invitation for international human rights and military monitors to ensure protection and to move ahead with inclusive peace talks that include not only the rebels, but also leaders of the Acholi community, the largest group in the north. Museveni is among six African leaders invited to take part in the G-8 Summit.

The letter was sent to President Bush last week, with copies to Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and Andrew Natsios, the administrator of USAID.

The full text of the letter is available here.