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Africa Horn
AU launches US-backed force to hunt Kony
2012-03-25
Maybe that dip-shit movie did some good after all...
JUBA: The African Union (AU), backed by the United States, has put together a 5,000-strong military force to hunt down fugitive warlord Joseph Kony, whose profile has shot up following a celebrity-backed campaign against him.

Kony, accused of terrorizing northern Uganda for two decades, is wanted by the International Criminal court for war crimes. He is accused of leading a group that abducted children to use as fighters and sex slaves and hacked off living victims' limbs as a method of intimidation and revenge.

A video about Kony posted on YouTube by a California film-maker has been viewed by tens of millions of people, promoted on Twitter with the hashtag #Kony2012 and endorsed by major Hollywood celebrities.

The AU force aims to coordinate soldiers already hunting for Kony from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR) and Uganda with logistical and intelligence help from Washington.

In October, US President Barack Obama said he was sending 100 military advisers to the four countries involved in the new AU force.

"The Americans are playing a pivotal role in some aspects," AU special envoy Francisco Madeira said on Saturday.

"They support us militarily, they support us with equipment, they support us with military advice, they support us even with intelligence and training," he told reporters at its launch ceremony in the South Sudanese capital Juba.

He gave no details on the troops' strategy.
  1. Kony found hiding in a mangrove forest
  2. US backed, RAB trained AU forces 'happen' upon him
  3. Kony senses presence of forces
  4. Kony fills air with lead
  5. AU soldiers forced to retaliate, gun-battle lasts for hour
  6. AU captain spray-paints a 'spot' on the ground
  7. Kony caught in 'crossfire', utters "Rosebud", emits rattle, falls on spot
  8. AU forces load Kony, stiff with rigor mortis, back into truck
  9. Kony delivered to hospital (not a level one trauma center)
  10. Harried ER doc pronounces Kony dead
  11. Kony's body delivered to morgue
  12. Dr. Quincy does autopsy, pronounces Kony dead of natural causes
  13. AU forces collect weapons, rounds of bullet, clean up site, head back to HQ
  14. AU sergeant polishes shutter gun Kalashnikov, puts into velvet lined case
  15. Case put into AU HQ lock-up to await use on Shebab bad boy in Somalia
The force will be headquartered in Yambio in South Sudan near the border to the DRC. Units will be also based in Dungu in the DRC and Obo in the CAR, officials said.

UN Central Africa envoy Abou Moussa said the force had to capitalize on the high level of global pressure on Kony. "We need to take advantage of the high level of interest, goodwill and political commitment to finally put an end to this crime."

LRA violence in the region has subsided since 2005 when the LRA was ejected from Uganda and now Kony is believed to command only hundreds of followers, scattered in jungle hideouts.
Posted by:Steve White

#7  So the USA sends 100 "advisors" to assist in the arrest of Kono, wanted by the ICC even though the USA is not a party to the ICC and has been fairly negative towards the court from the gitgo. Does anyone see a disconnect here? The obvious "advice" I guess is to help Kono find his own final resolution. Or if we want a better label - modern head hunting. Not that I am complaining, Kono deserves a Texas killing - but is this a possible precedent of the USA assisting ICC prosecutions? Just asking. And noone seems to be thinking this al the way through other than kneejerking to a Youtube. video. Policy by polling. PbyP.
Posted by: Northern Cousin   2012-03-25 21:54  

#6  He gave no details on the troops' strategy.

Prayer? A Cargo Cult belief that US. drones will magically spot him? Insult him on the internet until he gets so mad he has apoplexy, oh!, wait a minute, they already did that ...on Twitter with the hashtag #Kony2012.

This is self-congratulatory do-goodism on steroids.
Posted by: magpie   2012-03-25 19:09  

#5  The Afrikan Congo, historically a place of relative peace and tranquility. I'm reasonably certain this will be wrapped up soon and not require large airfields or costly forward operations bases.
Posted by: Besoeker   2012-03-25 11:55  

#4  "Kony, accused of terrorizing northern Uganda for two decades, is wanted by the International Criminal court for war crimes."

Don't waste any time with the ICC - just shoot the bastard. And his minions.
Posted by: Barbara   2012-03-25 11:11  

#3  If you want to "protect the children" there's always FARC units still in existance.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2012-03-25 11:10  

#2  Kony and the LRA are a bunch of tribal butchers but so far they have not presented any direct threat to the US. I don't count people stupid enough to go sight-seeing or hiking in combat zones, as being the poor innocents when they get kidnapped or killed. Meaning, that there are a lot of other problem children in the world that present a clear and present danger to us, that Kony does not. And they are the ones we should be spending the money and using the fuel and resources to hunt down.
Posted by: Shieldwolf   2012-03-25 10:58  

#1  Seems like a waste of resources to help someone who ran around naked and beat off in public like a monkey!
Posted by: Cluger Gurly-Brown4774   2012-03-25 08:57  

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