Today marks the official release of the LRA Crisis Tracker 2011 Annual Brief (French version available here). This report analyzes all recorded LRA attacks from 2011, and paints a very concrete picture of how this brutal rebel army has affected communities in Central Africa this past year.

Along with our counterparts in DC, Resolve, we launched the LRA Crisis Tracker in September 2011 in order to give policymakers, humanitarians, and the public real-time access to information on LRA activities and the immediate effects on local communities.

This report reviews the LRA activity in the tri-border region between DR Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR). Some highlights of interest: In 2011, there were 284 reported LRA attacks (that’s more than 5 per week), during which LRA forces reportedly killed 144 civilians and abducted 595 others (that’s 2.1 abductions per attack). Our statistics show a 32% reduction in attacks, killings, and abductions in 2011 compared to 2010, and an astounding 60% decrease in reported attacks between the first and second halves of 2011. While attack levels have decreased, it’s clear that the LRA remains a dangerous threat to civilians across the region, with 70.6% of reported LRA attacks including either a killing or an abduction of a civilian.

Coinciding with the start of this reduction in LRA violence, numerous accounts report that Joseph Kony summoned his key command leadership to rendezvous with his unit in CAR between the months of July and September. We can’t assume the LRA is weakening or losing its capacity to commit atrocities. Reducing violence could be an intentional move by the LRA to evade international attention, a strategy they’ve employed before.

For greater access to the LRA Crisis Tracker, check out the Crisis Tracker, our online crisis mapping platform and data collection system, for real-time updates about LRA attacks. You can also follow us on Twitter at @LRACrisisTracker or download the free iPhone app to stay up-to-date on the latest LRA activity.