LRA triangulating amid ‘peace’
Sept 19, 2008 - Editorial -NSV -The rebels of LRA have continued several attacks in the region, despite pledges that they would not, even after the so called ‘peace’ discussions between Joseph Kony, the rebels’ leader, and the government of president Museveni.
One of such attacks has come as a surprise on the village of Sakure in the Western Equatorial State in South Sudan, and another one on the villages of Duru, Nambia and Kiliwa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just on the eve of the signing of the much delayed peace.
This latest string of attacks, a triangulation at best, calls into question the credibility and the structural integrity of the peace, if ever that peace will come to fruition.
The LRA have been known for their notoriety and savagery in the way they mete out acts of terror on their victims: cutting of limbs, rapes, and cruelty of killings.
After bucking arrests by the ICC for such imaginable war crimes, both in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, the LRA rebels have continued the wanton exploit and control of diamond and other minerals in the Central African Republic, DR Congo, and South Sudan.
To this day, their willingness to sign peace is even conditional upon not being turned over to the ICC; their explicit show of interest to not disarm even after peace.
In a matter of urgency, the New Sudan Vision editorial challenges regional governments to address the LRA attacks as the fatal emergency it has always been. The LRA must be disarmed, and told to move to Uganda. The fact that these thugs are evasive should not be their advantage. There is need, more than ever, for regional security consolidation along this goal.
The weary citizens in South Sudan and northern Uganda desperately need a break from attacks, so as to start dreaming of peaceful nights. It is ironic for our generation in South Sudan to conclude one war with the north only to see our children born into another one with the LRA.
Our governments must see as their obligation to afford innocent citizens in this part of the Continent a fresh breeze of the 21st century dream - the promise that each child has boundless potential. And all we need is security!
Time is of the essence, and if we let this peace opportunity slip, if we let this small group of rebels take the best of the region, terrorizing masses, our governments will be doomed as weaklings that can not protect the citizens for whom governments and peace are the relevance.
