DRC: UN warns of increased LRA activity July 13

Event

On Thursday, July 13, the United Nations (UN) issued a report warning that activity by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is on the rise, several months after the United States and Uganda officially ended their military efforts targeting the LRA. According to the UN report, an increase in LRA activity has been observed in the north of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) near the border with South Sudan, including in and around Garamba National Park, where they are accused of poaching. The UN has also reported an increase in LRA-linked abductions of children around 12 or 13 years old, who the LRA notoriously uses as child soldiers. Observers fear increasing insecurity in the region.

Context

On June 7, around 40 LRA fighters kidnapped 61 civilians in a raid on the Tanganyika mining area near Garamba National Park in Haut-Uele province. The civilians were released after being forced to move supplies looted by the militants.

In early May, US Special Forces and the Ugandan military ended operations to destroy the LRA and capture its leader who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, Joseph Kony. According to the US and Uganda, the military operations that had been ongoing since 2011 ended due to the LRA being sufficiently weakened to under 100 active members, although Kony remains at large. The military withdrawal was criticized by some, who feared it would create a security vacuum enabling the LRA and other armed groups in the region to step in.

Advice

Individuals in the DRC are advised to exercise caution and maintain a low profile at all times. For various security reasons, several Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country.