Northern Uganda

Rarely in human history has such a small group of people caused so much suffering for so many as is the case in northern Uganda. The Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA, is a rebel force of less than 1,500, and is headed by self-appointed messianic leader and indicted war criminal, Joseph Kony. This small but ruthless force has caused unspeakable havoc: abducting tens of thousands of children and forcing them to become child soldiers, sexually enslaving young girls, and terrorizing communities not only in northern Uganda, but also in neighboring southern Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

In 2005, the International Criminal Court charged Kony with 33 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, but he has yet to face justice for his actions. At the same time, on-again, off-again peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA have not borne fruit. The conflict with the LRA is now entering a new, deadly cycle: recent abductions of hundreds of children suggest that the LRA is rebuilding its military capabilities. The more time that passes, the more likely it is that Kony’s force will become more of a threat.

Despite recent hopes for a lasting peace deal, the LRA’s continuing war on innocent civilians — many of whom are children — is far from over. This dire situation has grown even worse in part because the international community has let its attention and engagement wane at a time when it is needed most instead of joining forces to come up with a sensible new approach. The LRA remains a ticking time bomb that must not be allowed to yet again gain strength, and its leaders must be held accountable for their crimes.