The LRA is a declining fighting force, Sudanese support has stopped, and morale is eroding. The new priority is simply to survive. Given this context, it is not a surprise that there are fragmented, but consistent, reports of LRA tactics evolving even further to include trading peacefully with local populations.
All of this does not mean the LRA is finished. In , the rebels still abducted people, including dozens of children. As the recent interview with a defector shows, Kony may not want to surrender, but others do — perhaps even his sons, Salim and Ali.
Many are discouraged to do this, however, because — according to the defector — they no longer know where their homes are or where they would go. Others fear retaliation by the local population, regional governments or militaries. Historically, defection messaging played an important role in addressing the LRA threat. For example, Mega FM broadcasts in northern Uganda were often listened to by rebel fighters and the testimonies of former combatants encouraged hundreds to defect.
Similar initiatives, often costing little money and implemented by local civil society leaders, also showed success in CAR and DRC in subsequent years. However, funding for these campaigns has dried up since mid, leading to a predictable outcome: fewer combatants have defected, instead choosing to survive by looting local populations. Our interviews and recent testimony from defectors confirm both the usefulness and urgency of renewing defection messaging.
While undermining the LRA from within is not a silver bullet for a region threatened by a complex array of conflicts, it could finally remove one long-standing threat from the lives of tens of thousands of civilians. African Arguments. Uganda began withdrawing its troops from their base in eastern CAR last week. The departure of US special forces, who worked alongside the Ugandan soldiers, began this week. The mission, known as the African Union Regional Taskforce, was a wholly Ugandan affair almost from the start.
But the neighbouring countries, with security problems of their own, either never deployed or quickly withdrew their contingents.
The taskforce failed to win donor funding, and Uganda ended up footing the bill. Since , armed US special forces advisers have provided intelligence and logistics support.
The taskforce was drawn from all units of the Ugandan army, but may not have exceeded 1, men, according to media reports. But the Ugandan troops have recorded significant successes. Four key LRA commanders have been captured, and an insurgency of 2, fighters that terrorised a huge swath of territory across central Africa has been sharply degraded. Taking on Uganda's LRA rebels. Africa Today podcasts. Image source, Getty Images. What is he accused of? This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Polline was 12 when she was forced to become a child soldier. Uganda's atrocious war. Where is he from? Image source, AFP. This teenager had her lips, nose and ears cut off by the LRA. What does the LRA want? What that meant in practical terms was never clear. Fleeing Uganda's rebels. Why is he described by some as a 'prophet'? Mr Kony sees himself as a spirit medium.
Many LRA fighters were kidnapped from their families as children. Why has he used violence against his own people? Survivors of Uganda's LRA insurgency.
What has happened to the LRA? What about Kony? The Kony campaign built huge interest in the campaign to find Joseph Kony. Related Topics.
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