Blog Updates and inspiration

In January of 2015, Dominic Ongwen, a former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), surrendered in the Central African Republic. In the two years since he left the LRA, Ongwen has been transferred to the custody of the ICC in The Hague, where his trial began last December. Because […]

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was responsible for 14 attacks in January 2017 in which they abducted 59 civilians, the highest monthly abduction total since September 2016. However, the 59 abductions in January 2017 was a sharp reduction compared to January 2016, when LRA forces abducted 171 civilians. Nearly all of the LRA’s January 2017 abductions took place in northern […]

On February 9th, a Congolese matriarch and hero, Bernadette Wilimangu, passed away. Bernadette, who had come to be known by her community as Mama Koko (which means great grandmother in Lingala) was a remarkably courageous and compassionate woman who helped carry her family and community in DR Congo through unimaginable violence at the hands of Joseph Kony’s LRA. Her life has inspired thousands around the world, including our Invisible Children team, to remain committed to ending the violence of armed groups like the LRA in central Africa.

Last weekend, the family of former LRA fighter, Peter Kidega, welcomed him home after more than 14 years held captive by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). We couldn’t be happier for Peter and his family. NTVUganda Footage of Peter Kidega landing in Gulu, Uganda on Jan 27, 2017. What’s Peter’s story? In 2003, Peter was […]

As we wonder how in the heck we’re already almost a full month into 2017, we thought now would be a good time to take a look at some of the highlights of what our supporters made possible last year. Indulge us, won’t you? February 2016 – Okot George Odek Surrenders After more than two […]

A project of Invisible Children and The Resolve LRA Crisis Initiative + ICC trial of former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen resumes this week + New research examines dramatic events surrounding Ongwen’s 2014 defection, which spurred creation of splinter LRA group operating independently of LRA leader Joseph Kony + Fracturing of LRA since 2014 has undermined […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]