Local defenders mutilate body of LRA fighter in W. Equatoria
March 4, 2009 (YAMBIO) – Members of local defence groups in Western Equatoria, which were formed to protect citizens from LRA guerrilla attacks, killed and mutilated the body of an LRA fighter who was caught near Maridi town recently, ostensibly as a warning against LRA leader Joseph Kony.
Photos of the decaying, headless and limbless body reached Sudan Tribune from armed forces seeking to warn Kony what awaits him if he ventures again into South Sudan.
The local defence groups are armed mainly with traditional weapons – they are sometimes referred to as “arrow youth” – but they also coordinate with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, the former guerrilla force that won military predominance in South Sudan throughout a 23 year civil war.
Opposing the groups are Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) fighters, some of whom scattered into Southern Sudan after their main camps were attacked by three regional governments in DR Congo last December. The LRA, originally a Ugandan insurgency that has now moved farther west, slaughtered and kidnapped over 1000 civilians in reprisal for the offensive.
According to Charles Kisanga, the chairman of the Zande Community World-Wide, the LRA fighter was one of the two wounded when a troop of five LRA fighters was spotted by self defence group youth near Ibba and chased up to Maridi area on February 18-19. The arrow youth caught up with them eight miles from Maridi where a clash took place on the morning of February 19, resulting in two LRA wounded by arrows, one of whom was captured.
“The civilians descended on the wounded culprit and cut him into pieces. Even his head is missing as somebody grabbed it as souvenir as people chopped the terrorist into pieces and made away with body parts. The picture of the dead terrorist is very shocking and I warn people not to look at it if they are faint hearted,” said Kisanga.
A leader in the area viewed the act as an appropriate warning against Kony, who himself is known for brutality. “Any of his bandits he sends to South Sudan for pillage will end up like this mutilated body of the LRA killed by the self defence groups around Maridi,” a leader in Maridi told Kisanga. “The word is clear, we had nothing to do with your war in Uganda and you brought us terror and war and now we shall pay in kind if you dare into our villages again or send any bandit, then we shall lynch them like the dead terrorist here,” the leader warned Kony.
He also remarked that the population is well organised from Nagero to Rasolo and Rokon at the borders of Central Equatoria and also in Central Equatoria itself.
“Kony may carry guns but we have hundreds of people with arrows and for every single bullet we will shoot back with 100 arrows and may be even some bullets as we have many sympathisers in government and around the world,” the leader said.
The Zande community chairman also reported that self-defence group leaders are seeking more international aid in terms of shelter, food, medicines and “counselling for traumatised victims of LRA atrocities.”
Additionally, there are said to be thousands of Congolese refugees all over the state, some without seeds, land and tools to plant food for the next cultivation season which is starting now.
(ST)
yasuck
Local defenders mutilate body of LRA fighter in W. Equatoria
My heart goes to the victims of the LRA. This region suffered for so long from Khartoum’s backed LRA, but you don’t tortured or mutilated prisoners of war that is inhumane. Where is the GOSS to protect her citizens or the GOSS become weak ass gov.
Monye Jur
Local defenders mutilate body of LRA fighter in W. Equatoria
This is what we want to hear, “the arrow boys” and community self defense from the brutal LRA rebels. This is a good lesson to all. Infect, the war against LRA is a responsibility of all and the community has to protect it self in any form since the government has failed to offer security and safety to the entire population and the vulnerable villagers of WES. These arrow boys are now organized from all the way of Rasolo, Ibba, Meridi, Rokon, CES, and others. The chairman mentioned that they are now seeking international support interms of shelter, food, medicines, etc…
To me this is a good initiative.
But there is one thing that has thrown my attention: “if the LRA shoot 1 bullet, the arrow boys will reply it by 100 arrows and even some bullets since they have got some sympathizers in the government. Let the government open eyes, if GoSS with its SPLA is not seriously about offering security to these population; then one day it will be an armed and organized force that will be difficult to disarm. Because I believe one day these arrows will turn in to guns due to government negligence to protect the community from LRA.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Local defenders mutilate body of LRA fighter in W. Equatoria
Good work my lovely people of beautiful Equatoria, I really appreciate this braveness that you have shown to defend with yourselves. It is useless to rely on this weak government of dinkas (junglese) lets work together as one family of Greater Equatoria and control ourselves not being rule by jungle creatures (dinkas). The step that some Central Equatorians are taking is well apprecated as well, soon nor later i would like to see this process spreading to Eastern Equatoria. We now have three elements which need to united as one. Arrow Youth, Equatoria Defend Force and the macro party of Equatoria Resistance Movement (ERM), together as one junglese nor LRA will not do any harm to us. Even with gun i would consider 1 bullet and 100 arrows as our main source of achieving peace in Equatoria. I think those jugnlese in Equatoria are nothing but just dogs who look for better environment to survive. I will one day come around Maridi to see your operation, because it is now safe for my lovely people to be in a good health, i just call upon international aids to provide the help that has been requested by those Arrow Youth or WE governor.
Lokang
Local defenders mutilate body of LRA fighter in W. Equatoria
Brilliant initiation brothers. What else can citizen do when their government can not rescue them. I believe that earmark the direct warning to whoever perpetrate chaos in that beloved state of Western Equatoria. Now that you have acted with humility and determination, never retreat back until LRA is out of sight. The governement may not come into your rescue, but soon you will be applauded by the same government for your ramarkable step. You should also remember that, some of the leaders within the Government are the very people encouraging the existence of those “Life Retarded Army” (LRA) Together, we shall make the present of LRA in equatoria as history.