The incident: Sudanese poachers working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) near Mboki began placing defection fliers around the edge of the Mbomou river and on the trail to Gwane, DR Congo, an area in northern DR Congo near the Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudanese border. As the poachers headed back to Mboki, CAR, they came upon an LRA force camped in the area.
According to the poachers, the LRA forces had seen defection fliers and heard our “come home” messages over their FM radios. While they know there are people who will welcome them if they defect, they say they are waiting for the dry season when traveling will be easier. The LRA asked the poachers about the fliers they were posting, to which the poachers explained that the fliers were to guide the LRA forces out to communities where they can defect peacefully.
Incidents like this are helpful in determining the current capabilities and function of LRA forces in the area. It is encouraging to learn that our messages are reaching the LRA, and they know they can safely surrender.
Our Ambassadors of Peace program allows civilian volunteers in DR Congo and CAR, such as these Sudanese poachers, to distribute and disseminate defection fliers that guide LRA forces, like those near the Mbomou river, to safe defection sites.
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