... The Lords Resistance Army is a religious and military group formed in 1987. It is led by Joseph Kony, who proclaims himself the spokesperson of Godand a spirit medium, and who is periodically possessed by demons, Beelzebub and Legion prominent among them. Kony advises his soldiers to draw crosses on their chests as a protection against bullets. This does't work, but nobody outside the LRA minds. The group is based on a hodge podge of apocalyptic Christianity, mysticism, and traditional Acholi religion, and claims to be establishing a theocratic state based on an odd interpretation of the Ten Commandments. The LRA is famous for systematic criminal conduct, including murder, abduction, mutilation, sexual enslavement of women and children, forcing children to participate in hostilities, and occasional cannibalism. The LRA operates mainly in northern Uganda and also in parts of Sudan, Central African Republic and DR Congo...
in the Central African Republic
Russian mercenaries associated with the Wagner Group have intensified efforts to capture one of the world’s most elusive fugitives, Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). According to multiple sources, including a Rolling Stone report, a recent operation in the Central African Republic nearly succeeded in apprehending Kony, who has evaded international efforts to capture him for over two decades.
In early April, in a remote area of the Central African Republic, Wagner mercenaries engaged in a significant gunfight near a village named Yemen, where Kony was believed to be hiding. The operation followed the surrender of 14 defectors from Kony’s LRA at the end of March to Wagner-affiliated Chadian fighters posing as Central African Republic government forces. This action led to a severe skirmish in Yemen, reportedly resulting in casualties among both the local population and Wagner’s forces.
Kony, indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, has been a ghostly figure in the African bush, orchestrating a campaign of terror that includes abduction, mutilation, and forced recruitment of children into his militant group. Despite various international efforts, including a high-profile U.S. military operation named Observant Compass, Kony has remained at large, moving frequently across borders and evading capture.
Wagner’s pursuit represents a significant shift in the dynamics of international military operations in Africa. The Russian mercenary group, led until last year by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been increasingly active on the continent, providing direct military support to several African regimes in exchange for access to natural resources and strategic footholds.
The implications of Wagner potentially capturing Kony are profound, challenging the efficacy of Western-led military interventions in Africa. This comes at a time when U.S. and European influence on the continent is perceived to be waning, as evidenced by recent coups in Mali and Niger that have disrupted long standing military partnerships.
Related:
Joseph Kony 10/06/2018 Uganda: Witch Doctor Defends Ongwen At ICC Court
Joseph Kony 09/10/2018 Bolton Vows to Not Cooperate with International Criminal Court, Threatens Sanctions
Joseph Kony 04/01/2017 Uganda: Another Kony Rebel Surrenders
Joseph Kony 10/06/2018 Uganda: Witch Doctor Defends Ongwen At ICC Court
Joseph Kony 09/10/2018 Bolton Vows to Not Cooperate with International Criminal Court, Threatens Sanctions
Joseph Kony 04/01/2017 Uganda: Another Kony Rebel Surrenders
Related:
Wagner Group: 2024-05-01 Senior Islamic State group commander killed in an operation by Malian state forces, the country's military said.
Wagner Group: 2024-05-01 General Armageddon returns before the offensive: Will be Suvorikin be Deputy Defense Minister
Wagner Group: 2024-04-22 New crisis unfolds in Africa three years after Biden's Afghanistan debacle
Wagner Group: 2024-05-01 Senior Islamic State group commander killed in an operation by Malian state forces, the country's military said.
Wagner Group: 2024-05-01 General Armageddon returns before the offensive: Will be Suvorikin be Deputy Defense Minister
Wagner Group: 2024-04-22 New crisis unfolds in Africa three years after Biden's Afghanistan debacle