Ugandan rebels on the run, says African Union
December 1, 20013 (ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union (AU) has said leaders of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) are on the run because of increased pressure by regional forces.
‘‘Due to this military pressure, all the LRA top leaders are now on the run as troops robustly pursue them,’’ the AU said in a statement on Sunday.
The LRA is a Ugandan rebel group but has wrecked havoc in several parts of the great lakes including South Sudan, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
After being flushed out of Uganda in 2006, the rebels have become more active in the DRC, CAR and South Sudan.
On 9 August this year, the AU formed a regional task force and launched ‘‘Operation Monsoon’’- made up of troops from the region- to fight the LRA. The AU says the force is registering achievements.
‘‘Attacks and abductions by the LRA have significantly reduced, while the safety and security of civilians, as well as overall humanitarian situation, have improved,’’ the AU said.
On Sunday Ugandan media reported that a top LRA commander had been killed by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). The Ugandan army said it also killed 10 rebels, captured 10 AK47 riffles and several rounds of ammunition.
About 3,000 AU troops, with the intelligence and logistical support of 100 American military advisers are hunting for the elusive LRA leader, Joseph Kony.
Recently international media, quoting CAR officials, reported that the LRA leader had expressed interest in abandoning rebellion.
The Ugandan army welcomed the surrender reports but the US State Department and a host of American ant- LRA advocacy groups received the news with scepticism saying the LRA leader could be devising an old strategy of calling for talks whenever he is under pressure.
(ST)