Uganda rebels kill two; abduct 2 in Sudan’s Western Equatoria
By Richard Ruati
October 19, 2009 (GANGURA) – A group of Lord Resistance Army (LRA) rebels raided two villages in Western Equatoria State, at the village of Kidi at Gangura Payam, killing 2 men, abducting 2 young boys and looting food items and livestock.
“We have received and confirmed that, a group of LRA rebels crossed near the village of Bakiwiri to DR Congo on 17th of October 2009. On their way, they caused extensive damage to the villagers, looting food items, burning houses and the farming areas in the villages” he said.
The young boys abducted are believed to be of the ages of 12 and 14. The rebels – whose leaders originate in northern Uganda – have earned a grim reputation for murder, rape and abducting children.
Mutilating victims, including hacking off noses and lips, is one of their trademark calling cards.
Boys are taken to become fighters, girls as sex slaves for the commanders. Some of the 70,000 civilians who have fled their homes this year from rebel attacks in the remote southern Sudanese state have come to Yambio for safety.
At least 188 people from southern Sudan have been killed and more than 130 abducted since December 2008.
The burden of feeding and catering for the IDPs remains a big headache for the State Government. However, the Governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba had recently toured Europe to solicit Aid Agencies to help the humanitarian needs of WES.
The visit also focused also on the political will of the European Union to support the people on Western Equatoria and put pressure on LRA rebels.
The attacks have prompted more displacement, misery, and hunger. Food supplies for the local population and the displaced are dwindling because of the looting and destruction. Governor Jemma Nunu Kumba appealed to International Community for swift humanitarian aid to the people of WES.
Reports from the region suggest there are several groups of LRA fighters: some in DR Congo and another of about 1,300 in the Central African Republic led by one of Mr Kony’s deputies.
Mr Kony himself is reportedly moving northwards. Sources suggest this group may be being harassed by Ugandan Special Forces operating helicopters from Yambio in southern Sudan.
CURRENT STRUCTURES AND TACTICS OF LRA REBELS
The LRA current movement is made up of small brigades – independent clusters of 10 to 20 soldiers. They work with speed and aggression and have been effective in spreading widespread terror in Western Equatoria State with very few combatants.
However, these figures disputed. Military sources and international observes in southern Sudan estimate that there could be as many as 3,000 LRA fighters, with about 1,500 women and children in tow.
The LRA is notorious for mutilations and abductions. Sources from the former abductees say there have been four or five specific orders during the course of the reprisal attacks to deliberately inflict brutality, including mutilations and rape, in retaliation against the joint manhunt against Kony led by Armies of Uganda, DRC and southern Sudan.
LRA solders carry a variety of weapons, mostly Kalashnikovs, typically with bayonets. Many of the young soldiers have short beaded dreadlocks, and trademark rubber boots. Those in uniform are well presented, with insignia patterns based on Uganda and Sudan government designs.
(ST)