Weekly Roundup Feb. 20-26: "Oklahoma Hold Out" Commences

Earlier today, we kicked off our final push to convince Senator Coburn of Oklahoma to lift his hold on the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act.  Activists will be conducting the Oklahoma Hold Out in front of his office until he agrees to a compromise to pass the bill, which seeks to end ongoing LRA violence.

Tune in to live video coverage of the action at www.coburnsayyes.com.

The Good: Expressing solidarity with the thousands of activists pushing for the bill's passage, Senator Russ Feingold today released a statement calling for Senator Coburn to allow the bill to pass.

The Bad: The LRA abducted at least 40 people and killed several more in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic on Monday.  This follows several attacks last week in which the LRA captured 10 people and looted supplies from surrounding villages.

The Ugly: "The LRA threat is far from over," and death tolls for January from LRA attacks could be as high as 400, writes an Enough Project researcher in an article recommending that the UN mission in DR Congo send more peacekeepers to help apprehend rebel leaders and protect civilians. 


Regional Security

• More than 10,000 cases of African sleeping sickness have been reported in the Haut-Uélé district of eastern DR Congo, leading to fears of an epidemic.  LRA attacks and massive population displacements have severely limited access to medical treatment in the district.

Situation in Northern Uganda

• The Ugandan government  agreed to pay war debt reparations to Acholi farmers for nearly 250,000 livestock animals that were looted by the LRA during the insurgency.

• A new report on the 2002 Omot Massacre recommends that the Ugandan government acknowledge its failure to protect civilians, offer support to local justice and reconciliation mechanisms, and provide reparations and a memorial for the massacre.

International Community

• In solidarity with activists braving sub-zero Oklahoma temperatures for what could be weeks to come, Senator Russ Feingold released an inspired statement today, saying, "Mr. President, the LRA's massacres are taking place now. They are on our watch. This time, let us not look back and wish we had done more. I urge all my colleagues to come together to pass this bill."