US Congress passes LRA/Uganda bill

Senator Inhofe as he urges Senate support to defeat the LRA (Jan, 2010)

U.S. Congress has passed a bill that calls upon the U.S. to officially lead multilateral efforts to end LRA violence. The bill will be signed into law by President Obama within the next eight days.

The LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act passed Wednesday night after over a year of lobbying. It represents the most significant step the U.S. has taken so far to end LRA violence and bring peace to affected central African communities.

The act requires the US to develop a comprehensive regional strategy for dealing with the LRA and protecting civilians in cooperation with local governments. This includes the removal of Joseph Kony and his top commanders if negotiation efforts continue to fail. The legislation will also provide humanitarian assistance as well as support for reconstruction and the promotion of justice in areas recovering from decades of violence. The strategy should be finalised within six months.

Congressman Ed Royce, who was among those who introduced the bill in 2009, said: “The LRA’s objectives are threefold: kill, capture and resupply for its next pillage. There is no other reason for its being. The removal of Kony and his top leadership would decapitate this group. This legislation ensures U.S. leadership in making that happen. The day can’t come soon enough”.

The bill’s passage is also significant as only 3% of bills introduced in the last session of Congress were passed into law.

Videos related to the bill:

Congressman Ed Royce supports bill to end LRA atrocities, 12 May, 2010:

Senator Jim Inhofe urges Senate support to defeat the LRA, 26 Jan, 2010:

Other voices:

Invisible Children

Resolve Uganda

Enough Project

Please join IRT's Barefoot PeaceWalk 2010 to raise awareness of the LRA's violent actions in London this September. More information will be following shortly. You are also welcome to sign our petition if you cannot make it or in addition to attending the walk. Thank you.

christina zur nedden (czurnedden@irt.org.uk)