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LRA Survivors Keep Darfur Under Threat

Moatinoon
In a new report, Invisible Children warned of the continued threat posed by remnants of Joseph Konys Lords Resistance Army (LRA), despite its declining military influence and reduced combatant numbers in recent years.

The report, addressed to civil society partners and decision-makers in Sudan, indicated that members of the group remain active in the border areas between northeastern Central African Republic and the Darfur region bordering Sudan, relying on subsistence farming and the exchange of goods in local markets for their survival.

The report revealed that LRA violence has declined compared to the previous decade. Between 2010 and 2014, the group killed more than 3,587 civilians and abducted 974 people. However, the numbers decreased significantly between 2020 and 2024, with only one civilian killed and 282 abducted. However, the group remains a threat. Since 2023, it has abducted at least 74 children and young people in northern DRC, who are believed to be secretly held and subjected to forced labor and sexual abuse.

The report recommended several measures to address the threat, including:
Supporting community-based early warning systems to enable local populations to monitor the groups movements and share timely warnings.
Providing comprehensive support to abduction survivors and fugitives, including psychosocial care, education opportunities, and vocational training.
Strengthening local initiatives to document human rights violations and preserve collective memory to contribute to justice.
Working to mitigate local tensions that armed groups exploit and perpetuate cycles of violence.

The organization emphasized that the remnants of the Lords Resistance Army, despite their weakness, continue to pose a threat to the most vulnerable and isolated communities, necessitating community-based solutions that focus on protecting civilians and supporting survivors to rebuild their lives.