Tough anti-LRA measures agreed in Kinshasa
By Timothy Nsubuga
16th January 2012:
Hunted: LRA leader Joseph Kony
The United Nations and a number of central African countries that have been badly affected by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have agreed to toughen up measures against “…the notorious rebel group to stop its deadly activities on the continent,” a statement released by the UN on 9th January said.
During a meeting in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the LRA affected countries discussed ways in which they could collaborate to combat the marauding rebel group. They also addressed future challenges that they could tackle jointly.
According to the UN Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), one of the key advancements during the meeting was the acceptance by the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Uganda and the DRC for their troops to cross borders without hindrance if they are pursuing LRA forces. UNOCA however said the terms for the patrols beyond borders must be well defined, justified and targeted, and that the types of troops to be mobilized should also be specified.
During the meeting, the DRC also firmed up its support for the AU to combat LRA activities. “…We have obtained guarantees as to the significant contribution of the DRC in the implementation of the regional cooperation initiative of the African Union against the LRA,” said Francisco Madeira, the LRA issue Special Envoy of the African Union [AU].
The joint mission also received the names of the Congolese officers that will integrate the operational and military structures to track the LRA. UNOCA chief Abou Moussa stressed the importance of the regional meeting to enhance cooperation. “…We had reason to make this joint mission. We know how to guide our future actions to better coordinate the fight against the LRA.” he said. Mr. Moussa is expected to report to the Secretary-General on the progress in the exchange of information between the AU, States affected by LRA activities, and UN missions.
The LRA was formed in Uganda in the 1980s. For over 15 years, its attacks were mainly directed against Ugandan civilians and Uganda’s national army the Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF] which eventually dislodged the LRA from Ugandan soil in 2002. It was then that the LRA moved its operations to the DRC, CAR and South Sudan.
According to the UN, more than 12,000 combatants and abductees have so far left the LRA’s ranks and have been integrated and reunited with their families. END: Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
