Rebuilding relationships to end war in northern Uganda, Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo
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to see the areas where we work.Twenty-three years of civil war between the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government has caused great suffering to people living in northern Uganda, southern Sudan and more recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic.
Peace talks between the LRA and the Ugandan government from 2006 until 2008 offered the best hope for a settlement in recent times. Over half of northern Uganda’s 1.7 million displaced have left the camps and begun slowly rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
Renewed military action from December 2008 after LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to sign the final peace deal has had devastating consequences across the border in DRC and Southern Sudan. 'Operation Lightning Thunder' mirrored past offensives, with large civilian casualties, abductions and humanitarian crisis.
Conciliation Resources is working with local partners and people to try to end this war peacefully. By strengthening their efforts we can help them deal with the issues that fuel and prolong the conflict. We believe a military response cannot address the social, political and economic issues that are its root causes. A genuine process of reconciliation is needed, with accountability for all.
Background
The LRA’s ultimate goal is to overthrow President Museveni’s government in Kampala but it usually targets civilians. Lacking popular support, it has abducted more than 20,000 children since the mid-1980s to use as fighters against their own people. Meanwhile the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF), has sought to destroy it militarily. Many abducted children have been killed as a result.
From 1996 onwards over 1.7 million people were forced to move from their homes into makeshift camps, far from their land and livelihoods. Most are seriously traumatized and depend on food aid.
An amnesty law passed in Uganda in 2000 after pressure from civil society organizations and the international community gave LRA abductees the chance to return to their communities without prosecution for their crimes. Thousands came home, encouraged by those who long for peace.