We just received confirmation that on Sunday (August 10th), a group of 33 women and children were released by the LRA in Digba, Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR). Their ages and years in captivity vary, with the youngest of the returnees being a one week old baby.
This is in ADDITION to the 13 women and children who came out on August 9th, which we reported earlier today.
Between the two groups, 46 people have been released this week. This is the largest number of returnees since Invisible Children launched our programs in Central African Republic and DRC. Interestingly, these women and children came out in the same area where a group of LRA released 21 women and children on March 21, 2013.
While we are still waiting for more information surrounding the release of this group, we are excited and thankful that 46 people have regained their freedom.
We are encouraged to see the nonviolent removal of LRA captives from central Africa, and this mass release is a testament to the commitment of African Union forces and courageous community leaders to achieving a permanent end to the LRA. Together with the U.S. military advisors, and Invisible Children, with our partners and supporters, we are another step closer to dismantling the LRA from within.
This week’s events show that our programs are working, and the day that we can stand together in a world without LRA violence is in our sight.
*children’s faces have been blurred to protect their identity.
THIS NEWS IS INCREDIBLE, AND IT SHOWS THAT OUR EFFORTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA ARE BEING EFFECTIVE. DONATE TO HELP BRING MORE PEOPLE REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM.
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