November 5,2008:
The government believes that Uganda's new seat on the UN Security
Council will give it another diplomatic
chit in its war with the Lords Resistance Army. The LRA's leaders and
specifically, its commander, Joseph Kony—have repeatedly said that the
International Criminal Court warrants for war crimes against them are an
impediment to peace. Uganda, which sought the indictments, offered to hold
trials in Uganda. This dismayed many in "the international community" who
support the ICC, but the government thought it might be an offer Kony could not
refuse. But refuse he did. Now Uganda will have more political swing in the UN
and, who knows, might try and find a way to enforce the warrants. Uganda
formally takes its seat on the Security Council on January 1, 2009, but some of
the benefits of an impending UNSC seat are already appearing. (Austin Bay)
An alert
issued by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) said
that "terrorists" intend to strike targets in Uganda, primarily infrastructure
targets. The alert follows several weeks of claims by the government that
Islamist terrorists may hit targets in Uganda since Uganda provides troops for
the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.
November 2,
2008: Everybody shares war in central Africa. Congolese Army troops killed nine
LRA rebels after 30 to 50 LRA fighters attacked the small village of Dungu, in the
Congo. What's odd about this is that Dungu is over 100 kilometers from Sudan.
LRA contingents have been moving from Sudan to Congo and back. The LRA has also
attacked villages in the Central African Republic.
October 31,
2008: At least 600 Congolese refugees fled into Uganda from the Congo
(Democratic Republic of Congo). Since October 28, 8,500 refugees have crossed
the border from Congo into Uganda. Most of the refugees are in Uganda's Kisoro
district (which lies on the Uganda-Congo border).
October 26,
2008: The government said that 11 members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
rebel group and two members of the LRA received amnesty. The former guerillas
were required to "denounce their rebellions." The Ugandan government has an
amnesty commission that grants amnesty to former rebels. The 11 ADF and two LRA
fighters received blanket amnesty.
October 25,
2008: The government and a UN report claim that the LRA abducted an increasing
number of people during the month of September. The government believes this is
a return by the LRA to "forced recruitment," a tactic used by the LRA
throughout the war with Uganda.
October 23,
2008: Uganda was selected to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security
Council. Its term will begin in January 2009.
October 21,
2008: The ICC has asked the Congolese government to provide "detailed
information" on the steps it is taking to arrest indicted LRA leaders.