Previous International Action
While the crisis in northern Uganda is still not the political priority that it should be for our policymakers, there has been some significant progress in recent years in terms of the attention it is receiving in our halls of government. Both the United States government and United Nations have recently addressed the crisis in public statements and resolutions. Also, click here to find out what the key people in the Obama Administration had to say about this conflict in their prior roles in government.
Most recent U.S. action:
Members of US Congress Urge Secretary Clinton to Prioritize Ending LRA Violence
Over 110 Senators and Representatives signed letters to Secretary Clinton that urge her to develop a strategy to protect civilians in central Africa from LRA attacks and eliminate the threat the rebel group poses to regional security.
LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act Introduced in Congress
Over 20 Senators and 90 Representatives have cosponsored a bill aimed at ending LRA atrocities in central Africa and supporting recovery and transitional justice initiatives in northern Uganda.
State Department: U.S. supports peace process, calls for protection of civilians from LRA
The United States condemns the recent LRA attacks on Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Army forces at Nabanga, Sudan, and elsewhere, as well as the LRA's abductions and other abuses of innocent civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and southern Sudan.
U.S. issues statement urging LRA to show commitment to peace by signing FPA
The United States calls on the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) to demonstrate its commitment to a peaceful and permanent resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda by signing the Final Peace Agreement (FPA).
U.S. Urges Signing of Final Peace Agreement for Northern Uganda
In March, 2008, the U.S. State Department has issued a major press statement urging the Ugandan government and LRA to sign the Final Peace Agreement to end their 22-year war.
Most recent U.N. action:
Security Council Issues Presidential Statement Condemning LRA Attacks
In December 2008, the Security Council issued a statement condemning the recent LRA attacks in the DRC and Southern Sudan and Kony's repeated failure to sign the peace agreement. They recalled the the ICC arrest warrants for LRA leaders, and welcomed the joint efforts made by states in the region to address the security threat posed by the LRA to support the re-establishment of peace and security in northern Uganda.
Security Council Extends Mandate of UN Special Envoy Chissano
In December 2007 the Security Council extended the mandate of UN Special Envoy for the LRA-affected areas Joaquim Chissano through December 31st, 2008. Chissano's office was also upgraded from a temporary liaison office to a special political mission.
Press Statement by the President of the Security Council
On November 13, 2007, the President of the Security Council issued a press statement on behalf of the Council in which it expressed support for the ongoing Juba peace process and urged continued improvement in humanitarian conditions in northern Uganda. It also reiterated the Council's desire that those responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law be brought to justice. The press statement, issued after a briefing to the Council by UN Special Envoy Joaquim Chissano, also expressed strong support for his facilitation role in the peace process.