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The LRA conflict and the Acholi people of Uganda
Janae EnnsKelli KlingLindsay Atnikov
October 15, 2013
Background
In 1987 the LRA (a rebel Guerilla group) began to wage a terror campaign against the Ugandan government, forcibly recruiting its own people, the Acholi tribe. Because of this a devastating civil war broke out in Uganda until the peace talks were settled in 2006.
Background Cont…
1987- Lords Resistance Army (LRA) was formed
Revolutionary Terrorism
LRA fighting to overthrow president Yoweri and have a state built on his interpretation of the 10 commandments
Acts of domestic terrorism
Targets children (1987-2006) 20,000 children abducted
Entire Acholi population was displaced
Thesis
The LRA is a direct cause of devastation to the Acholi tribe in Uganda, creating an entirely new phase of civil war by their abductions, displacing cities and acts of terror, However the Ugandan government is also to blame.
The Acholi People
The Acholi people have been mainly targeted by the LRA and the government. They find themselves in the middle of a war between the Ugandan government and the LRA.
They have had no human rights, and had their land and wealth wiped out.
They are found in the North-central area of Uganda where they have lived for several centuries, living in areas where there is rich soil and oil resources.
Yoweri Museveni
Allegedly to protect the Acholi people from the LRA, president Yoweri Musevini forced millions of civilians into IDP (Internally displaced persons) camps throughout this period of 20 years.
- conditions- deaths
Not actually taking care of his people.
Displacement Camps
Museveni's government forced 1.4 to 1.9 million civilians into camps where they were to be protected by the Ugandan army. Yet the northerners living in these camps were prone to attack by the LRA and the national army alike, and unable to raise their own food.
Hundreds of thousands of Acholi have abandoned their homes in northern Uganda for fear of being abducted, and now live in refugee camps in appalling conditions,
Orchestrated Genocide
The Ugandan Government has been no help to the Acholi people in the IDP camps
WHY?
- 90% of Acholi population displaced in camps
Museveni was eyeing Acholi land for mechanized agriculture, secure oil, and other resources in Uganda.
If they aren’t on their land, the government can have it….?
Orchestrated Genocide
DEFINITION : GENOCIDEActs committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethical, racial or religious group.
Now, think of the Acholi people:Planned neglect, slow death, slow motion, not broadcasted around the world, government knows these conditions are happening, doesn't’t do anything, no protection for the people.
ICC
October 2005 International Criminal Court’s issued arrest warrants for leaders of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army
Classification
Ethnic / religious
Originally, Kony wanted to run Uganda by the “10 biblical commandments”. Although they had tried to fufill and complete this goal, if you know the bible at all, the murders his soldiers committed broke a very important rule.
“ Though shall not Kill”
Peace Treaties
2006, final peace treaty was set to be signed by end of February
LRA refused because of the ICC indictments
Operation Lightning Thunder
Christmas Massacres
Media Coverage
It was not in the main headlines of the news until 2005, when the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Joseph Kony. In 2012 especially the group Invisible Children started the “ Kony 2012” campaign, raising awareness across the United States and Canada. The YouTube video alone had almost 100 million views. People now knew who Kony was, what he looked like and the horrible things he was doing.
LRA Today
Left Uganda 2008 due to Juba Peace Talks
Still terrorize other parts of Africa
Limited contact with one another due to increased awareness (social media)
Went from 1,000 to approximately 300 fighters
Kony has still yet to be captured
Canada’s Involvement
US President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 100 US Special Forces members to Uganda, to fight the LRAin 2012.
The Ugandan Gov needs to also supply more forces to fight the LRA
However, Canada has not taken any steps in helping.
Steps we as Canadians can take if we believe we should have more of a role like the United States does:
WRITE to the government, try to get more radio station in central Africa to get more information across to them, aid is needed for the people, let them know they have someone helping.
References
Lomo, Zachary. (2004). Behind the Violence: Causes, consequences, and the search for solutions to the war in Northern Uganda. Kampala, Uganda.
Rune, Hijalmar Espeland. (2010). Forum for Development Studies: The Ugandan Army and its war in the North. University of Oslo.
Komakech, Lyandro. (2011). Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. Makerere University.
Atkinson, Ronald. (2009). From Uganda to the Congo and Beyond: Pursuing the Lord’s Resistance Army. University of South Carolina.
Otunnu, Ogenga. (1996). Causes and Consequences of the War in Acholiland. Chicago.
Pham, Phuong; Vinck, Patrick; & Stover, Eric. (2007). Abducted: The Lord's Resistance Army and Forced Conscription in Northern Uganda. UC Berkeley: Human Rights Center.