The deal gives the guerillas time to assemble in two areas in southern Sudan as agreed with the government in return for a general amnesty.

"This morning, we signed an agreement to renew the truce. This is an encouraging development which will allow us put back our soldiers into the assembly points," a spokesman for

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Peace talks to end the civil war in northern Uganda - fragile as they are - represent the best prospect in years for a resolution to the decades-old conflict, according to a new policy brief from Mercy Corps. In the report, the global humanitarian agency urges local and international actors to fortify the fragile peace process through swift and sustained support.

"Through generous, well-designed, and dependable assistance, the international community can help Ugandans

Tarsis Kabwegyere, the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, who was quoted by the state-owned New Vision on Tuesday, said the government has set December 31 as the deadline by which the IDPs must vacate the camps and go home.

"The camps must be empty. Nothing will stop us from achieving this because we have everything in place. The

"Africa needs more and better aid, it needs fairer trade, and it needs a green revolution to improve agricultural production and feed its people," he told an applauding audience at Georgetown University in Washington where he delivered the Oliver Tambo Lecture in

Summary and Implications

In northern Uganda, the improvement in civil security will facilitate the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back or closer to home, improving their access to land. The improved production prospects may reduce the need for food assistance in 2007. Poor crop production in Karamoja this season is expected to leave about 500,000 people at risk of food insecurity and in need of assistance.

Seasonal Timeline

- Wholesale maize prices decline in East Africa

- Preparations for the next season begin in East Africa

- Informal trade continues despite export ban

CROP PRODUCTION AND HARVESTING UPDATE

As the maize harvesting season ends in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, Kenya farmers from the grain basket in the Rift Valley have just started harvesting maize. The maize harvesting is expected to peak in November and consequently increase domestic stocks for most households. About 540,000MT of maize are expected to be harvested

After obtaining its independence from British rule on October 9, 1962, Uganda embarked on its journey of self-governance with Edward Mutesa II as king of Buganda and ceremonial president, and Milton Obote as executive prime minister. With a population of over 28,195,754, composed of over twenty ethnic groups and approximately forty languages, Uganda has been tormented by conflict and humanitarian crises that stem from the persistent presence of corrupt governance, ethnic disparity, health issues, and economic turmoil.

Much of the present conflict has its

In November the Council will be under the presidency of Peru. The Council mission to Afghanistan, although comprising only a selection of Council members, will inevitably divert a lot of energy and focus away from the work programme in New York.

Fortunately, November is unusually light in terms of mandate expiry and review dates. Only one mandate renewal is expected, the EU Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR) and only one review is scheduled - Ethiopia/Eritrea. But there are a full range of other pressing issues. Public meetings are likely to include:

GARBO, Sudan, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Unknown armed men attacked a south Sudan village killing five people, the latest in a spate of assaults terrorising villagers and hampering humanitarian aid access to one of the poorest areas on earth.

Almost daily attacks have shocked residents around southern Sudan's capital Juba over the past 10 days, including four last week which claimed 38 lives. Thursday's attack was on Garbo village, which faces Juba on the Nile.

The former southern rebel Sudan People's