Our Approach // Adapting Solutions that Work to Address New Challenges
The central African region spanning the borders of the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan is one of the most vibrant and naturally abundant places on earth. And yet, communities in this region, and the natural world around them, are facing incredible threats to their safety and livelihoods. […]
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 […]
Central African Republic Resumes Diamond Exports Despite Concerns
In June, the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) announced that it would resume diamond exports after a three-year ban implemented in 2013 as a result of the adoption of the Kimberley Process. The ban was put in place to prevent the sale of diamonds financing armed group violence, which broke out in CAR […]
LRA Crisis Tracker Report Indicates Kony May Be Rebuilding
This week we released our newest LRA Crisis Tracker report together with our partners at The Resolve LRA Crisis Initiative. The Midyear 2016 Security Brief highlights key trends in the movements and tactics of Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) so far this year. CLICK HERE TO READ THE MIDYEAR 2016 SECURITY BRIEF The […]
Kony’s LRA resurgent as Ugandan military plans withdrawal from central Africa
A project of Invisible Children and The Resolve LRA Crisis Initiative + LRA abducted 344 people in CAR from January–June 2016, highest midyear figure there since 2010 + Kony’s orders led to dozens of child abductions + LRA poaching group returned to DR Congo’s Garamba National Park + 12 women and children released from LRA captivity in June […]
HOW WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AFFECTS COMMUNITIES
Illegal poaching and ivory trafficking by armed groups like the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) affect more than just elephants. In places like central Africa, wildlife poaching and trafficking also place local communities in immediate danger, and serves as a revenue stream for armed groups that ultimately perpetuates more violence and exploitation. Communities in and […]
ICC SENTENCES FORMER CONGOLESE VP TO 18 YEARS FOR WAR CRIMES
Just days ago, on June 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentenced Jean-Pierre Bemba, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to 18 years in jail for war crimes committed in the Central African Republic (CAR). The crimes for which Bemba has been sentenced, were committed by soldiers under his command in […]
ON WORLD REFUGEE DAY WE STAND #WithRefugees
Nearly 60 million people around the world live displaced, including thousands in central Africa, forced to leave their homes because of the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups. So today, on World Refugee Day we’re joining the United Nations to stand in solidarity #WithRefugees. Today, and every day, we honor […]
Ugandan Government Announces Plans to Abandon Mission to Stop Kony
June 14th, 2016 at 3:00pm EST Last week, the Ugandan military announced plans to withdraw its troops from the Central African Republic (CAR), where they have been the primary contributing force to the African Union mission to apprehend Joseph Kony and end the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They announced that this withdrawal […]