Susan Rice Supports Restarting of Counter-LRA Mission, U.N. Action in Congo
Posted by Cody Leblanc on Jun 03, 2013
Susan Rice, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN
In a welcome move on May 29, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Susan Rice called on the Ugandan/African Union mission against the
Lord’s Resistance Army to restart operations in the Democratic
Republic of Congo. In remarks at a U.N. Security Council briefing by
Abou Moussa, Special Representative to the Secretary General of the
U.N. Regional Office for Central Africa , or UNOCA, Rice implored the
U.N. to take more action to prevent the LRA from setting up safe
havens in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rice stated:
“Instability across the region, particularly in the Central
African Republic, threatens to halt and potentially reverse progress
in the fight against the LRA. The United States believes that
counter-LRA operations under the AU’s Regional Task Force should
resume as soon as possible. We welcome the CAR transitional
government’s assurances that counter-LRA operations will continue
through the AU Regional Task Force. Further suspension of military
operations in the CAR could allow the LRA to reorganize and further
endanger civilians.”
Ambassador Rice also emphasized the need for further action in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, stating:
“According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Democratic Republic of the Congo
suffered 54 LRA attacks between January and March of this year—the
most among LRA-affected countries in the region. FARDC and MONUSCO
forces operating in northeastern DRC should renew their efforts to
combat the LRA through expanded, more targeted patrols and increased
information-sharing.”
This is a particularly welcome statement, as new information has
surfaced that the LRA has moved groups of fighters into the Congo in
recent weeks. This must not become a safe haven for Kony’s dangerous
fighters.
Ambassador Rice also reaffirmed the support of the United States for
the regional strategies and missions of both the United Nations and
the African Union in Central Africa. Notably, the U.S. has supported
regional efforts to combat the LRA and safeguard civilians through the
deployment of U.S. military advisers to facilitate strategic
operations as well as the legislation and implementation of the
Rewards for Justice Bill designed to arrest and convict top LRA
leaders.
The Enough Project appreciates Ambassador Rice’s efforts to help
resolve the LRA conflict and firmly agrees with her recommendations
for the renewal of regional and international efforts to combat the
LRA in Central Africa.
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