Today Invisible Children published a press statement, together with our partners at The Resolve LRA Crisis Initiative and The Enough Project, which sheds light on Joseph Kony’s involvement in the illegal trade of ivory, gold and diamonds in central Africa.
Seized ivory tusks are displayed at a Hong Kong customs press conference on January 4, 2013 (AFP/File, Dale de la Rey)
Our organizations have collected significant evidence that continues to confirm that the has been LRA collecting and trading elephant ivory and minerals in recent years as a means to sustain itself. As emphasized in the joint press statement, we believe it is critical that international organizations like the United Nations move swiftly to address these issues of illicit mineral and wildlife trafficking. If Kony is allowed to continue poaching elephants, and trading ivory, gold and diamonds for weapons, other supplies, it will only strengthen the LRA’s ability to sustain itself and prey on vulnerable communities.
With that in mind, Invisible Children and our partners urge the United Nations Security Council to address these issues at their briefing on the LRA crisis next month.
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