The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, has committed numerous abuses and atrocities since the insurgency began in Uganda in 1986. Of these abuses, abduction and rape have devastated the female population as thousands have fallen victim to the LRA’s violence. According to a UNICEF Humanitarian Situation Report, the rebels are still holding approximately 3,000 women and children captive.
Today, the fate of these women and girls remains unclear as negotiations have come to a halt and the signing of a peace agreement between the government of Uganda and the LRA has been delayed.
Women activists around the world are calling on the government in Uganda, the LRA, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court to make their positions clear and to push for peace and reconciliation as a means to end violence and bring justice to the women of Uganda. The government in Uganda has stated that the opportunity for peace negotiations is over and has issued an arrest warrant for Joseph Kony.
Without a final peace pact, many fear that these women and girls will never be rescued and will be subjected to further violence and suffering.
Complied from: Kiapi, Evelyn Matsamura. "Fresh Concerns About Women in Captivity." Inter Press Service News Agency (20 April 2010).