History of the LRA

Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA and wanted for crimes against humanity by the ICC.The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) was formed by Joseph Kony in 1987 as the successor to the group Holy Spirit Movement during the aftermath of the civil war in Uganda in a violent campaign against the government of the current leader, Yoweri Museveni. Their aim: to rule Uganda according to the Biblical Ten Commandments. Kony has also stated that he is fighting for the rights of Uganda’s Acholi people, his people, against discrimination by the government. However, the actions of of the LRA starkly contradict the overriding interpretation of Christian teachings as their tactics have included the murder, rape, mutulation and kidnapping of hundreds and thousands of people across Uganda, Sudan, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of Congo. The LRA are notorious for kidnapping children and forcing them to become rebel fighters or sex slaves. Kony has continued to head one of the longest running conflicts in Africa for over 20 years and since October 2006 has been on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) most wanted listed for crimes against humanity and war. He is said to be responsible for the murder, kidnap and displacement of hundreds of thousands and attempts to create a dialogue with him have continually failed. Although Kony originally wanted to save his people, the Acholi people of Uganda, he is now also using terminology such as the need to 'cleanse' them and annihilate those who are not supporting him. 

What has been the effect on civilians?

The LRA mutilated this boys face when they attacked his village. The effect on civilians in a number of countries has been devastating. The LRA purposely attacks innocent civilians as they believe it will put the government under pressure. The LRA have not only murdered thousands; but they continually rape women, mutilate people, and kidnap children using them for child soldiers. Millions have been displaced as a result of their actions with many unable to return home and those that can have to rebuild their lives from scratch. The LRA have also targeted villages that are fertile and prosperous leaving many areas with food shortages.

Today the LRA is no longer only a Ugandan problem. Although there has not been an attack in northern Uganda since 2006, the apparent peace of the region is still extremely fragile and the LRA has moved to spread its terror to other parts of central Africa by attacking civilians in South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

>> The African Great Lakes Region, the area where the LRA is active especially in Uganda and DRC. The Central African Republic and South Sudan (north of DRC and Uganda), not included in the Great Lakes, are also part of LRA territory.

 This report by Al Jazeera is straight from Nzara, South Sudan, where IRT supports many projects.