Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
By Richard Ruati
November 5, 2009 (KAMPALA) — Lt Col Charles Arop, a leading Ugandan LRA rebels (the Army of the Lord’s Resistance), has decided to surrender himself to the Ugandan army. Arop is responsible for a bloodbath perpetrated on Christmas Day last year in Faradje in the DRC during which at least 143 people have died.
Not a long time ago, Arop commanded an army of 100 rebel fighters, most of them having been decimated after actions from the UPDF.
Kulayigye revealed that “the surrender of Arop took place near Faradje, adding that his surrender is very significant given the fact he was Commander within Kony units, however this has degenerated and declined the commanding chain of LRA.”
He added that, “the surrender of Arop is fortunately making the arrest of Kony the next target of UPDF.”
Asked whether how many Kony fighters are still in the jungles, he said at moment the Ugandan Army doesn’t know, however Kony is believed to be in isolation in Central Africa Republic.”
Lt Col Felix dismissed future peace negotiations with LRA, saying that, “the only options left for Kony are to capture or kill him, except if Kony signs the negotiated agreement.
He dismissed the media reports that, “the Operation Light Thunder is a failure,” he tabled the rescue of 450 abductees and the capture of 20 LRA officers as a success, he also said there are no LRA rebels in DR Congo anymore.
Speaking to local journalist of Yambio FM in Western Equatoria, Lt Col Charles Arop said that, he was arrested in 1994 from Northern Uganda; he has been the immediate operation commander of Joseph Kony.
Arop appealed to his former LRA colleagues those still close to Joseph Kony to put down their guns and come out of the jungles, he directed his appeal mainly to his former closed commanders like Dominic Okello and Smart, that by the mercy of God they should come back home “the children of Acholi have finished in the bush.”
He advised the remaining LRA soldiers in the bush not to fear to hand themselves in to the UPDF.
He further appealed to Joseph Kony himself to come out open, as the war has claimed the lives of innocent civilians and displaced many others.
The Ugandan Army spokesperson said that, Arop may decide to remain as civilian or politician, however if at all he committed any crime against humanity, legal actions shall be taken against him by a competent law institution.
He also revealed that, since the Light Thunder Operations started last December only 12 Ugandans armies have lost their lives.
The Ugandan army hunts down LRA fighters in the DRC, Central African Republic and Southern Sudan. Since the attacks of the army on the LRA at the end of last year, this movement has dispersed in small units.
(ST)
Thon
Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
by thon5.
he is welcome back home today but let him face justice and before that Ugandan government officials are supported to investigate him and arrest him for some days otherwise he has come for personal militarily spying not surrrendering.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
Now it is time for him to pay the lips, ears, tongues, breasts, blood, and lost lives of Ugandans plus WES people. This man should be under going brutal game until his body changed from black to arabs colour. He should be torture and ask to direct the troops to where his Konyi is hiding. No need to worry as long as we go separation LRA will have no choice accept returning back to Uganda. It is only fear of what they have done to innocent people that cause panic to their leader. I don’t welcome lion to my house like this Arop. The only solution is direct him too hell.
Time1
Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
Lt Col Felix dismissed future peace negotiations with LRA, saying that, “the only options left for Kony are to capture or kill him, except if Kony signs the negotiated agreement.
This is now the only way to finish the LRA case through military means, this animal LRA rebels do not understand any other languages. But Ugandan army and SPLA and Congo should make sure this war does not last more than another two years maximum.
pata mike
Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
It is important to note that Arop was abducted by the LRA in 1995 when he was still a child and forced =into the ranks .This was an orpottunity for him to escape. Moreover he is not the only so called high ranking LRA to give up fighting. in previous years Very high ranking people were reportedly killed or surreddered but this did not lead to the end of the conflict: in 1988 Lukonyomoi pa Otunnu , the most feared LRA leader who was revered by Kony himself was killed. He was the author of the red commandoes of LRA and beleived to be a prophet. In 1990 Apia was killed; bany surredered in in the 21st century and so did Kolo. So the surrednder means nothing it only indicates a change in LRA strategy. It also means that the LRa has moved away from that area.
mohammed osman
Leading LRA rebel commander surrenders to Ugandan army
We the arabs is keepings you slave kill slave while we rule this nation,Allah granted upon us the promise to rule Sudan and even whole African soon to come.blacks people do not derserves to live ,let them kills eachothers this slaves.