LRA attacks worsen as three aid workers are killed

The crisis being caused by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the African Great Lakes region and in the Central African Republic continues to increase. The LRA are no longer just a national concern for Uganda, but have grown into a regional menace. The LRA, orginally a group based in Uganda, now murder, kidnap, rape and mutulate civilians in a number of neighbouring countries. Led by Joseph Kony, the LRA have killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Uganda, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. There is a fear that the violence will spread to Chad as well.

Recent events involving the LRA have called for international action. On 21st September 2009, three aid workers from Italian NGO Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) were killed in the Central African Replublic by LRA soldiers. The organisation that has worked in CAR since the '70s has now suspended its activities in the region. This will only worsen problems for citizens in this area who worry that the help from NGO's they rely on has been removed due to vulnerability of aid workers.

LRA soldiers patrolling the dense forests of the African Great Lakes Region. The LRA has been spreading terror for over two decadesThe LRA have been active, mostly in Uganda, for over two decades. They first arrived in the CAR in February 2008, staging a series of raids, pushing west from Bambouti, on the border with Sudan. Local human rights associations and other civic groups raised the alarm, backed by the UN, urging a much tougher military response.

After a one-year lull, LRA attacks resumed with much greater intensity in mid-2009. The intensity of their movements has increased over the past months leading to a reaction between neighbouring governments to tackle the problem together. This has seen Ugandan troops entering Central African Republic in pursuit of the LRA. Soldiers now patrol certain towns and villages but many remain vulnerable to attacks. People are not only vulnerable as a result of the direct violence from the LRA but local populations are also affected due to the LRA targeting the most fertile and prosperous areas. The result of this is that many villages are left isolated with food shortages.

The reaction of the Italian NGO Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) to pull out of the region after the recent attacks is not unique. Several international aid agencies have had to pull out of the region, including Southern Sudan, out of fear for their workers' safety. As a result, those who are in urgent need of aid, are left helpless due to LRA threats.

 Has this story inspired you to voice your outrage over LRA activity? Join IRT on October 24th 2009 in our Barefoot Peace Walk to raise international awareness of these atrocities. Please visit our Barefoot Peace Walk page for more information!