United Nations Backs Fight Against African Rebels

Somalia was struck several times by US imperialist war planes in 2006-7. Despite Ethiopia's claim that it would withdraw from the country in two weeks, the over two year occupation was backed by the Pentagon WikiLeaks revealed., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

UN backs fight against African rebels

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press
2011-11-15 06:08 AM

The U.N. Security Council on Monday backed stepped-up military action in central Africa to apprehend commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army in the coming months and eliminate the notorious rebel group, a campaign supported by U.S. special operations advisers.

The council welcomed efforts by the African Union, the United Nations and the international community, including the United States, to improve the ability of regional military forces with limited intelligence, communications and transport to conduct operations against the LRA, whose leaders have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Obama administration recently deployed 100 military advisers to help forces in Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic pursuing the LRA, which has waged one of Africa's longest and most brutal rebellions. It is accused by the U.N. and human rights groups of cutting off the tongues and lips of innocent civilians and kidnapping thousands of children and forcing them to be soldiers and sex slaves.

LRA fighters began their attacks more than 20 years ago in northern Uganda. When Ugandan troops flushed them out of the country, they moved into South Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic. In 2003 the LRA had 3,000 armed troops and 2,000 people in support roles, but now the Ugandan military says their forces are fractured and scattered, with only about 200 fighters.

The LRA insurgency and the Ugandan government's response have left at least 100,000 people dead, and the Security Council said over 440,000 people across the region are displaced.

After briefings Monday by AU and U.N. officials, the Security Council urged the militaries of the four countries "to coordinate and concert their efforts to apprehend Joseph Kony and LRA top commanders in the coming months and bring them to justice." Kony, the LRA leader, and three of his top commanders are wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of murder, rape, mutilation and the forced enlistment of child soldiers.

A statement adopted by the council demanded an immediate end to LRA attacks and urged all remaining fighters to defect and reintegrate into normal life in their countries. It also urged the governments of the four affected countries to "better protect civilians" and ensure that all actions against the LRA comply with international human rights laws.

Abou Moussa, the U.N. special envoy for Central Africa, said military operations should be intelligence driven "and ensure the containment rather than the dispersal of LRA elements in order to maximize their impact."

Moussa said the U.S. deployment should enhance efforts already being undertaken by the African governments.

U.S. deputy ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis called the LRA "one of the most brutal terrorist organizations on the planet."

Tete Antonio, the African Union's U.N. observer, said the AU Peace and Security Council will meet on Nov. 20 to consider the appointment of an AU special envoy for LRA-affected areas and to finalize plans to promote coordination on LRA issues.