Weekly Roundup Feb. 12-19: Is LRA violence once again "most neglected"?

When we first launched this campaign for peace in northern Uganda five years ago, senior UN officials considered LRA violence and forced displacement in the region to constitute "the world's worst neglected crisis". While our efforts have helped produce enormous strides since that time - and northern Uganda is now relatively peaceful - the rebel group is escalating attacks against civilians once again, this time in DR Congo, South Sudan, and Central African Republic.

But activist efforts to prevent this violence from being neglected once again continue to give reason for hope. In particular, the efforts of many to secure the passage of historic legislation before Congress heated up this week -check out this video directly addressing Senator Coburn - aka "Dr. No" - who is blocking the bill's passage. 

The Good: With 5700 signatories of the petition, momentum continues to build for the Dr. No: Please Say Yescampaign as Oklahomans gear up for the Oklahoman Day of Action this Friday.

The Bad: A new UN report states that 15,000 people were displaced from their homes in the Dungu Territory of eastern DR Congo by LRA attacks last December.  They now face critical shortages of basic necessities, particularly safe water.

The Ugly: Last year the LRA killed a total of 849 people, abducted 1486, and displaced 365,000 from their homes in the DR Congo alone, far outpacing other violent conflicts in the region.
 
Regional Security

• In response to surging rebel violence, the Ugandan army began a new strategy towards the LRA in eastern DR Congo.  With the cooperation of the Congolese army, Ugandan troops set up posts from which they sweep the surrounding forests in search of LRA rebels throughout DR Congo's Orientale Province.

• The LRA massacred approximately 100 people in an attack on December 13 of last year in the Congolese town of Mabanga, humanitarian organizations confirmed.

Situation in Northern Uganda

• A natural resource transparency lobby group reported that an oil deal between the Ugandan government and a UK oil firm for development of oil in northern Uganda would be harmful to the environment and socially irresponsible, though the company denies the accusations.

• A national agricultural fair was held in northern Uganda, highlighting returning farmers' hope and optimism at the prospects for recovery for the region. "We are proud we have returned to our villages after many years in the camps. We are preparing for agricultural production," said a Gulu official.

International Community

• The US administration's strategy on the LRA must focus on civilian protection, humanitarian aid access, coordination between regional armies, and intelligence and logistical support, Enough Project researcherLedio Cakaj recommends in an editorial published this week.

• Our partners at Invisible Children are taking to the road again for the new Legacy Tour, joined by a number of Ugandans who have benefited from Invisible Children's programs on the ground.