Central African Republic can oil Kony talks
Media reports have suggested that the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have located to the Central African Republic (CAR). The reports have also hinted on a possibility of a merger between the LRA and another rebel movement in the CAR, Union For Democratic Front (UFDF). What is the LRA’s game pl
Shuaib Kaggwa
Media reports have suggested that the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have located to the Central African Republic (CAR). The reports have also hinted on a possibility of a merger between the LRA and another rebel movement in the CAR, Union For Democratic Front (UFDF). What is the LRA’s game plan?
The media seemed to attempt to work out the puzzle. It was suggested that since Khartoum is rumoured to support the UFDR against President Francoise Boziza in Bangui, and the same power once supported the LRA against President Yoweri Museveni, it’s possible these two rebel groups have merged. But this theory doe snot add up properly. How is the merger to operate? Under a uniform command? Can Kony take overall command? Can Dimane Zakaria, (UFDR chief) surrender leadership to Kony? It would be bizarre, quite unlikely.
My reasons for disputing this possibility are based on recent developments in this crisis-torn region. Before the LRA top leadership began asking for change of mediator and venue for the talks, they pointed at Bangui, the capital of CAR, as a suitable place. This to me suggested a certain degree of confidence and perhaps good contact with the administration of President Bozize. Indeed, President Bashir, like his vice-president, Salva Kiir, threatened to kick out the LRA from Sudan if they didn’t move fast on a peace deal with Kampala. How does the LRA turn round in just few months to fight Bozize now?
Thus if the LRA are not in CAR to fight Bozize, they are there as his guests. Before overthrowing President Ange-Felix Patasse in 2003, Bozize had been himself a rebel leader based in Chad, with the bulk of his troops in northern DRC. Could they have established some contact with the experienced LRA leadership at the time?
Indeed the LRA are experienced at war. President Bozize who lacks a formidable army, save for the support from France and South Africa, would not mind dishing out some dollars to the LRA for mercenary work. Kony needs supplies to survive. This would be a big boost, and probably the reason his deputy Vincent Otti is thumping his chest as he swears never to return to Juba for talks.
Paul Otto, the minister for justice in the CAR cabinet is trusted by President Bozize and has just secured a peace deal with one of the rebel groups fighting Bangui. He could be useful to us.
The writer is the Chairperson, Journalists Human Rights Forum
Media reports have suggested that the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have located to the Central African Republic (CAR). The reports have also hinted on a possibility of a merger between the LRA and another rebel movement in the CAR, Union For Democratic Front (UFDF). What is the LRA’s game plan?
The media seemed to attempt to work out the puzzle. It was suggested that since Khartoum is rumoured to support the UFDR against President Francoise Boziza in Bangui, and the same power once supported the LRA against President Yoweri Museveni, it’s possible these two rebel groups have merged. But this theory doe snot add up properly. How is the merger to operate? Under a uniform command? Can Kony take overall command? Can Dimane Zakaria, (UFDR chief) surrender leadership to Kony? It would be bizarre, quite unlikely.
My reasons for disputing this possibility are based on recent developments in this crisis-torn region. Before the LRA top leadership began asking for change of mediator and venue for the talks, they pointed at Bangui, the capital of CAR, as a suitable place. This to me suggested a certain degree of confidence and perhaps good contact with the administration of President Bozize. Indeed, President Bashir, like his vice-president, Salva Kiir, threatened to kick out the LRA from Sudan if they didn’t move fast on a peace deal with Kampala. How does the LRA turn round in just few months to fight Bozize now?
Thus if the LRA are not in CAR to fight Bozize, they are there as his guests. Before overthrowing President Ange-Felix Patasse in 2003, Bozize had been himself a rebel leader based in Chad, with the bulk of his troops in northern DRC. Could they have established some contact with the experienced LRA leadership at the time?
Indeed the LRA are experienced at war. President Bozize who lacks a formidable army, save for the support from France and South Africa, would not mind dishing out some dollars to the LRA for mercenary work. Kony needs supplies to survive. This would be a big boost, and probably the reason his deputy Vincent Otti is thumping his chest as he swears never to return to Juba for talks.
Paul Otto, the minister for justice in the CAR cabinet is trusted by President Bozize and has just secured a peace deal with one of the rebel groups fighting Bangui. He could be useful to us.
The writer is the Chairperson, Journalists Human Rights Forum