REPOST // China Bans Its Ivory Trade, Moving Against Elephant Poaching
Last month, the Chinese government announced plans to ban ivory commerce by the end of 2017. As the world’s largest market for both legal and illegal ivory trading, China’s ban is sure to have a significant impact on the global ivory trade and on vulnerable communities like many in central Africa, who often experience violence associated with […]
LRA Crisis Tracker Monthly Security Brief | November 2016
Overview Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forces abducted 25 civilians in 10 attacks in November, with a significant majority of abductions occurring in eastern Central African Republic (CAR). A series of clashes involving ex-Séléka factions in and near Bria, CAR, left at least 14 civilians dead in late November. Armed groups continued to be active in northern Democratic Republic of […]
Stories of Connection // Come Home Messages Encourage Escape
For communities in central Africa, strong connections to the world around them are vital to their safety. In this remote and isolated corner of the world, where families don’t have access to reliable communication tools, whole communities face the constant threat of armed groups that can tear families apart through violent attacks and abductions. This […]
This Holiday Season, Connect
Every one of us shares the need to connect. But despite the fact that we’re living in one of the most globally connected times in history, we still struggle to transcend our day-to-day online interactions and develop strong, meaningful connections with others. During this time of year, we feel that struggle more than ever and […]
Repost || The LRA is finally weakening in central Africa. Defection Messages could dismantle it.
Today, as the world watches the trial of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander, Dominic Ongwen, begin at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Washington Post has highlighted an important perspective on how LRA violence that continues in central Africa can be stopped. In an editorial published today, our friends and LRA experts, […]
Update on Dominic Ongwen // Trial to Begin Tomorrow
The International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of former LRA commander, Dominic Ongwen, is set to begin tomorrow. So, in preparation, we thought we would take a moment and recap where the proceedings are and talk about what we can expect to see happen moving forward. So, what’s happened so far? In early January 2015, former […]
This #GivingTuesday, Help Us Unlock Solutions to Peace
You know Black Friday, and by now you’ve probably heard of Cyber Monday… but have you ever heard of #GivingTuesday? If not, no worries! We’ll fill you in: While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are dedicated to shopping, either for holiday gifts or simply excellent deals, #GivingTuesday is dedicated to the celebration of giving back […]
When The Walking Defeats You // A Look Into the LRA
“Killing seemed normal, another act in the struggle to stay alive.” – When the Walking Defeats You At the top of our winter reading list this year is the recently released story of George Omona, a former member of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). When The Walking Defeats You: One Man’s Journey as Joseph […]
LRA Crisis Tracker Monthly Security Brief | October 2016
Overview Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forces abducted 44 civilians in eight attacks in October, among the lowest monthly totals recorded in 2016. Five of these attacks and nearly all of the abductions were likely committed by the LRA splinter group led by Achaye Doctor, which has been operating independently of Joseph Kony’s command since late 2014. […]
LRA Crisis Tracker Security Brief | 2016 Quarter 3
Overview Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forces abducted 94 civilians in 38 attacks in Quarter 3 2016 (Q3 2016), covering the months of July–September 2016. Q3 levels of abductions and attacks were significantly lower than those in Q1 and Q2. Within Q3, September was the most violent month of LRA activity, with nearly double the number of abductions […]