We need to fight these armed (rebel) forces because they are actually a threat to democracy," Muluzi told reporters on his return from Libya where he attended a two-day African Union summit on defence, water and farming. 

Muluzi, a close friend of President Yoweri Museveni, was speaking following the massacre of more than 200 people by LRA rebels at Barlonyo displaced person's camp near Lira town. 
*************************************

BLANTYRE, Sunday- Malawian President Bakili Muluzi (right) on Sunday urged African states to rise up against LRA rebels, calling it a threat to democracy. 

"We need to fight these armed (rebel) forces because they are actually a threat to democracy," Muluzi told reporters on his return from Libya where he attended a two-day African Union summit on defence, water and farming. 

Muluzi, a close friend of President Yoweri Museveni, was speaking following the massacre of more than 200 people by LRA rebels at Barlonyo displaced person's camp near Lira town. 

Said Muluzi, "Allowing insurgents to prevail over elected governments will be rendering democratic elections useless. 

"So what's the use of democracy when one can just pick up arms and overthrow a government?" 
Muluzi, who became the southern African nation's first democratically elected president in 1994, reiterated there was no need for people "to take up arms when there is this window of democracy" in most African countries. 

The LRA took up arms against Museveni's government in 1988. 
The group is infamous for its atrocities against civilians and abductions of thousands of children, forced to serve as soldiers or concubines, and has been condemned by human rights groups and UN aid agencies. 

The US declared the LRA a terrorist organisation after September 11, 2001. 
Ends
Published on: Tuesday, 2nd March, 2004

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