The plans to conclude the peace talks between Uganda's fugitive rebel leader and government were put on hold yesterday.

Joseph Kony, the leader of the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, asked for a delay on the peace signing for the apparent reason of needing more time to consult with the Ugandan elders and contemplate the war crimes charges he faces.

According to the New York Times, Captain Paddy Ankunda, an army spokesman said: “We are giving him the benefit of the doubt. He is expected to sign tomorrow. If he doesn’t, that will be his problem.”

The discussions have been carried out in a jungle clearing near the Sudan-Congo border, where rebels, 200 officials, diplomats, journalists, elders and family members of Mr. Kony plus the negotiators got together and awaited the leader’s emerge from his 2006 disappearance out of the public eye.

The Associated Press quoted Ruhakana Rugunda, the Ugandan government's chief negotiator and also Minister of Internal Affairs, saying that “The delay is no big deal. Long-lasting peace in northern Uganda is what we want, and we won't be derailed by a time schedule."

The Lord’s Resistance Army has a vast reputation of extremely violent behavior, being responsible for kidnapping children, burning down homes and killing anyone found in its way. The whole movement started as a liberation crusade for the Acholi people of northern Uganda but was rapidly transformed into a barbaric and cruel slaughter. 

Over the years thousands of people were killed and more than a million were displaced, ravishing Congo, Sudan, The Central Africa Republic and the rest of central countries.

The extreme efforts made up to this point might finally bring peace after 20 years of war.