Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yambio (Agenzia Fides) – Religious leaders from the four countries affected by the violent raids of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have signed a commitment to apply pressure locally and internationally to find a peaceful solution to a crisis that began in 1986 in northern Uganda and that has extended to parts of southern Sudan, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and south-eastern Central African Republic (CAR).
In the final declaration of the regional conference of religious leaders on the impact of the LRA, which was held from September 8 to 10 in Yambio, southern Sudan (see Fides 14/09/2010), it says that “at first, the LRA was nothing more than a Ugandan rebel movement, which has since established its bases in a vast region of Africa and includes in its ranks children abducted in various countries where its fighters enter. Its violent troops kidnap children and massacre civilians in Uganda, Sudan, DRC, and the RCA, causing a massive displacement of people and leaving a legacy of poverty and fear, a breeding ground for possible future political instability."
Religious leaders complain about the lack of an overall strategy and coordination at regional and international levels, in order to solve the problem that has thus dragged on for over 25 years.
The religious leaders of the four countries affected by the violence of the LRA had already gathered in February 2010 in Kisangani, the DRC (see Fides 05/02/2010), where each had made a commitment to raise awareness among citizens and authorities on the problem . Among the initiatives that have been agreed upon is the letter sent to U.S. President Obama (see Fides 22/5/2010) and the sending the conclusions of the Kisangani Conference to the UN Secretary General.
In the Yambio Declaration, religious leaders commit themselves to raising awareness at local, national, and international levels. Every six months they must organize a "peace weekend" in the regions affected by this situation. They must prepare and publish a biennial report on the humanitarian and security situation in LRA-affected areas. They must constantly seek ways to reestablish communication with the LRA leader, Joseph Kony, in order to restore a direct dialogue with him for a possible resumption of the negotiations in Juba (southern Sudan), which were interrupted in 2008 (see Fides 06/04/2008).
Religious leaders, in calling for a peaceful resolution to the LRA crisis, propose to: distribute leaflets and radio messages of peace to the LRA combatants, urging them to desert; prepare a welcome program for former combatants; increase the humanitarian aid to populations in need and for the displaced; detect and block the supports that allow the LRA to continue the war. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2010)
