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UN and Uganda reach new agreement on resettling dispersed Sudanese refugees

UN and Uganda reach new agreement on resettling dispersed Sudanese refugees

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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has concluded an agreement with the Government of Uganda which should pave the way for relocating 23,000 Sudanese refugees in the country who were dispersed by a rebel attack earlier this month, a spokesperson for the agency reported today.

"Everything is now in place for the first phase of the transfer, which we hope can begin as soon as possible," Delphine Marie told reporters in Geneva.

The refugees were scattered during a deadly attack by Lord's Resistance Army rebels on the Acholi-Pii camp in northern Uganda. Their relocation had been temporarily suspended since last week, pending resolution of a disagreement about the final destination.

The issue was settled after UNHCR officials met with the Ugandan authorities, who agreed to an initial transfer of up to 8,000 refugees to a site at Kyangwali. "The government has proposed two other sites for the remaining refugees, and negotiations continue," Ms. Marie said.