Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Agenzia Fides) – The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the Ugandan guerrilla group that has spread terror and death through northern Uganda since 1986, continues attacking civilian populations in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in South Sudan, the two countries that since December 14, have joined forces with Uganda in carrying out a joint military offensive on the LRA base in the Garamba Forest in Congo (see Fides 15/12/2008).
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Ugandan guerrillas have killed 537 people and kidnapped 400 children, the majority of them in the last several days, in northeastern Congo, since the LRA launched its attack in the area. The UNHCR says that over 100,000 inhabitants in the area have been forced to flee their homes, hiding in the forest. The majority of these people are from the town of Faradje, which suffered a heavy attack from guerrillas during Christmastime (see Fides 9/1/2009).
The guerrilla attacks have continued without a pause, ever worsening the already grave humanitarian conditions. Among the humanitarian aid organizations present on-site is Caritas, as well as local Church organizations (see Fides 9/1/2009).
In the area of southern Sudan, as well, in Western Equatoria, the LRA guerrillas continue to attack civilians.
In an attack on the city of Maridi, the Ugandan rebels killed nearly 40 people, two of them being important leaders from the area, 4 being tribal leaders, and various women and children. They have also kidnapped an imprecise number of persons.
In this area, the local population is also being forced to flee their homes. The majority of the people fleeing the LRA are farming families. The attack has taken place right in the midst of the harvest season, thus causing all the crops to go to ruin. According to local authorities, there are over 140 refugee families, in addition to over 6,000 internally displaced persons not registered but present in the area.
In response to the December 14 attack, the LRA has divided its forces into small groups, killing innocent civilians and spreading terror in a vast territory that extends from northeastern DRC to southern Sudan, up to the border with the Central African Republic. In northern Uganda, for years now nearly 2 million people have been forced to move to refugee camps to flee the attacks of the guerrillas, who unfortunately are infamous for their fierceness. The leaders of the LRA are wanted by the International Crime Court for crimes against humanity. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 14/1/2008)
