Kony orders LRA to loot gold, ivory

LRA leader Joseph Kony. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

Early this year, the report says, Kony sent a group to Garamba National Park in north-eastern DR Congo to collect ivory. Park authorities say they observed a rise in elephant poaching from April to August when 109 elephants were killed

KAMPALA.
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony has ordered his rebels to plunder ivory and gold for him to buy weapons and food, according to a new report by three American human rights advocacy groups.

The report released on Tuesday by Enough Project, “The Resolve and Invisible Children” says the trade in ivory, diamond and gold could be linked to LRA’s efforts to improve relations with other armed groups such as Seleka, the Sudanese military and Central African cattle herders.

“New evidence that the LRA is trafficking illicit ivory, diamonds, and gold through Sudanese-held territory must spark a stronger response from the UN Security Council and the international community,” said Paul Ronan, director The Resolve LRA Crisis Initiative.

The report quotes recent LRA defectors saying Kony has issued standing orders to rebel fighters to loot diamonds and gold from miners in eastern Central African Republic.

Most of the illicit minerals are then transported to Kony’s group, which operates frequently in the neighbouring Kafia Kingi enclave, a disputed area controlled by the Sudanese military.

“The illicit minerals trade provides the LRA with vital resources. It’s time that those who buy diamonds and gold from deadly rebel groups like the LRA face international scrutiny and sanctions,” said Kasper Agger, a field researcher at the Enough Project.

Early this year, the report says, Kony sent a group to Garamba National Park in north-eastern DR Congo to collect ivory. Park authorities say they observed a rise in elephant poaching from April to August when 109 elephants were killed.

The report, however, says few LRA commanders would acknowledge Kony’s sons as leaders, making a bitter succession struggle and widespread defections a more likely outcome if Kony died or were captured.