The Quarterly Security Brief provides a summary and analysis of the reported activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) from July-September 2012 (Q3 2012). This brief covers LRA activity in Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo), South Sudan, and Sudan.
There was a 42% decrease in reported LRA attacks in Q3 2012 compared to Q2 2012. This reduction mirrors similar trends in 2010 and 2011, when LRA attack rates dropped after peaking between January and June. This reduction may be related to the wet season rains, during which LRA forces are less mobile.
A majority of attacks in Q3 2012 occurred in Congo, mostly clustered in Haut Uele district west of Garamba National Park in areas where LRA commanders such as Vincent Binansio “Binany” Okumu are believed to be directing small groups of LRA fighters. September 2012 marks a full year of zero reported LRA attacks in South Sudan.
The most severe attack in Q3 2012 occurred between September 1-3 across several communities north of Bangassou, CAR. LRA forces abducted approximately 49 people, including 14 children, and killed 2 civilians during the abduction. All of the remaining abductees either escaped or were released during the following two weeks. Several escapees reported that LRA combatants raped many of the women and girls, including an eight-year-old girl, before releasing them.
Most senior LRA commanders are thought to be operating in eastern and northern CAR, as well as in the disputed Kafia Kingi enclave on the border of Sudan and South Sudan. Ugandan military forces operating in the forest southwest of Djemah, CAR reportedly attacked a group that included Dominic Ongwen on August 24 and September 3rd.
94 people reportedly returned from the LRA during Q3 2012. Of these returnees, 28 reported being abducted for 72 hours or less, and 50 others reported being abducted for less than one month. The LRA reportedly abducted 90 civilians in Q3 2012, a majority of which were adults.
These statistics continue trends seen in 2011 and the first half of 2012 that indicate the LRA is largely abducting adults for short periods of time to porter looted goods, rather than abducting children and young adults to integrate into the LRA’s ranks.