Kony heads to Central African Republic
Feb 19, 2007
At least 40 LRA rebels have crossed into the Central African Republic, where they have joined a rebel group that is fighting the Government in Bangui, according to security sources. They also looted food and drugs from Yangiri dispensary.
By Emmy Allio
At least 40 LRA rebels have crossed into the Central African Republic, where they have joined a rebel group that is fighting the Government in Bangui, according to security sources. They also looted food and drugs from Yangiri dispensary.
Another group of about 400 LRA has left their hide-out in the Congolese jungles of Garamba and is heading in the same direction.
This main group, led by Joseph Kony himself, reportedly quit Garamba on February 14 and is camping in a forest 35km of Tambura in South Sudan. On their way, the rebels looted food from villages in western Equatoria and abducted several Sudanese youth to carry the loot.
Security sources fear that the rebels will attack the SPLA forces around Tambura and Efo in a bid to force their way into the Central African Republic.
Reliable sources have indicated that the LRA advance party has already linked up with the rebels of APRD (Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy), who are fighting the Government of the Central African Republic.
President Francois Bozize accuses the Khartoum authorities of backing the APRD. France, which supports the Government of Bozize, is actively involved in fighting the rebels.
“It is true that they (LRA) are leaving Garamba,†army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye confirmed yesterday. “But why should the LRA kill, loot and abduct citizens of Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic who have nothing to do with their war?â€
The new developments come one week before the deadline for the LRA fighters to assemble in Owiny Kibul and Ri-Kwangba expires.
The new move also comes as the LRA was urged by the Congolese authorities to quit Garamba.
MONUC and other states reportedly put pressure on Kinshasa to expel the rebels, following their lack of commitment to the peace talks and increased harassment of the civilian population.
According to UN-run Radio Okapi, the Ugandan rebels last week attacked Congolese villages between Faradje and Aba, killing at least four Congolese civilians.
As a result, the Congolese army has increased its deployment in Nagero, Kurukwata and Aba, towns in the southern environs of Garamba National Park.
At least 40 LRA rebels have crossed into the Central African Republic, where they have joined a rebel group that is fighting the Government in Bangui, according to security sources. They also looted food and drugs from Yangiri dispensary.
Another group of about 400 LRA has left their hide-out in the Congolese jungles of Garamba and is heading in the same direction.
This main group, led by Joseph Kony himself, reportedly quit Garamba on February 14 and is camping in a forest 35km of Tambura in South Sudan. On their way, the rebels looted food from villages in western Equatoria and abducted several Sudanese youth to carry the loot.
Security sources fear that the rebels will attack the SPLA forces around Tambura and Efo in a bid to force their way into the Central African Republic.
Reliable sources have indicated that the LRA advance party has already linked up with the rebels of APRD (Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy), who are fighting the Government of the Central African Republic.
President Francois Bozize accuses the Khartoum authorities of backing the APRD. France, which supports the Government of Bozize, is actively involved in fighting the rebels.
“It is true that they (LRA) are leaving Garamba,†army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye confirmed yesterday. “But why should the LRA kill, loot and abduct citizens of Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic who have nothing to do with their war?â€
The new developments come one week before the deadline for the LRA fighters to assemble in Owiny Kibul and Ri-Kwangba expires.
The new move also comes as the LRA was urged by the Congolese authorities to quit Garamba.
MONUC and other states reportedly put pressure on Kinshasa to expel the rebels, following their lack of commitment to the peace talks and increased harassment of the civilian population.
According to UN-run Radio Okapi, the Ugandan rebels last week attacked Congolese villages between Faradje and Aba, killing at least four Congolese civilians.
As a result, the Congolese army has increased its deployment in Nagero, Kurukwata and Aba, towns in the southern environs of Garamba National Park.