Uganda/DRC

Joint military action launched against LRA rebels in DRC

Article published on the 2008-12-15 Latest update 2008-12-15 08:17 TU

LRA leader Joseph Kony (R) meets with local Acholi chief David Achana on 30 November 2008. The military has not provided details of Kony's fate following Sunday's attack.
(Photo: Reuters)

Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan have launched a joint military offensive against Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels camped out in eastern DRC. They attacked camps in the Garamba national park area, where the LRA has been based for over two years.

“The three armed forces successfully attacked the main body and destroyed the main camp of [LRA chief Joseph] Kony, code-named camp Swahili, setting it on fire,” said a joint statement, signed by the military intelligence chiefs from the three forces.

Ugandan army spokesperson, Major Paddy Ankunda said the attacks started early Sunday morning.

The LRA has not officially confirmed the attack.

“I have not confirmed it with my commander, with General Joseph Kony,” LRA spokesman David Matsanga told RFI. Though he said if indeed the attacks did take place, it would be “very dangerous, and a tragedy for the people of northern Uganda and the people who have been working for peace for the last two and a half years.”

The LRA will defend itself, said Matsanga.

“As far as we are concerned, the LRA is still committed to peace. But if they have attacked the LRA, this is very bad,” he said.

The Ugandan army said the operation is ongoing. Correspondent Patricia Okoed Bukumune said the LRA forces have been camped out in Eastern Congo for over two years and should not be underestimated.

“The three joint forces are going against a force, and they are not too sure of the magnitude, of the size, of the number of rebels,” she said.

“This attack was not expected,” said Patricia Okoed Bukumune. “Although Uganda’s defence Minister Ruth Nankabirwa held a press conference Friday and [...] said the Congolese government had finally come around and agreed to help get ride of the Ugandan rebels which have been camped in Congolese territory for the past two years.”

Uganda, Congo and South Sudan agreed in principal in June this year to launch attacks in June, though Uganda has accused the DRC of not doing anything to help stop the LRA rebels.

The Ugandan government has been working on rekindling peace talks. Kony had requested to speak directly with President Yoweri Museveni, and last week the two were reportedly to have a phone conversation.