NY Times: The complexities of capturing Kony

As the world was rapidly becoming aware of Joseph Kony’s atrocities, people were left appalled. Without knowing the region, it is hard to understand why it would be so difficult to capture one man. The New York Times released a story yesterday with updates from the American team helping to track down LRA leadership. The Green Berets, who are only in “an advise and assist role” and do not take part in actual combat, explain the complexity of the situation:

Former Liberian president convicted of war crimes

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor looks down as he waits for the start of a hearing to deliver the verdict in the court room of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam, near The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday April 26. Photo credit: Peter Dejong/AP

Last Thursday an international tribunal found ex-President Charles Taylor guilty on 11 counts of war crimes in Sierra Leone. It is, undoubtedly, a milestone for international justice as he is the first head of state since the Nuremberg Trials to be indicted for war crimes, and the first ever to be convicted. This verdict comes just weeks after Thomas Lubanga was found guilty by the International Criminal Court for his use of child soldiers in Congo.

Obama extends deployment of U.S. advisers in LRA-affected region

 

Today, President Obama announced that he would extend the deployment of 100 advisory troops to the LRA-affected regions of Central Africa. He was speaking at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum this morning when he made the announcement.
It was just over six months ago that President Obama originally announced his decision to deploy 100 advisory troops to the region on a time-limited mission. These special forces advise regional militaries and aide in logistics and intelligence. These are not combat troops–though they are combat ready should they need to defend themselves. The extension of their deployment and President Obama’s public commitment to seeing an end to LRA violence is very encouraging. He said:

We love us some George Bernard Shaw.

KONY 2012: Family Edition

All ages are participating in Cover the Night. It just goes to show that you’re never too young to create awareness. Or too cute for social activism.

Gwen in Tucson, Arizona

Kicking off Cover the Night: a global day of action to promote justice for Joseph Kony

The original goal of Cover the Night, as introduced in the viral KONY 2012 video, was to make Joseph Kony famous. That happened in a matter of days thanks to millions of people around the world who shared the KONY 2012 films. The event has expanded into a global day of action, embodied by the idea that our liberty is bound together and that the human connection extends around the globe, but starts across the street.
Already this week, thousands of Kony 2012 supporters have contacted the African Union, the United Nations, global leaders, and heads of state, asking them to support international efforts to end LRA violence.
And today, April 20, 2012, people all around the world will be serving their local communities and promoting justice for Joseph Kony in creative and constructive ways.

Cover the Night: Advocacy for U.S. citizens

The end of LRA violence will only come as the result of increased support to the existing international effort. We’re coordinating our efforts so that local, national, and global leaders will coordinate theirs. Because when they agree, change can happen.
We’ve been encouraging you to channel your demands for justice to Washington and we’re already seeing results. Since the launch of KONY 2012, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives introduced the Kony 2012 resolution into Congress and it has roughly 100 cosponsors. This is remarkable – a true sign that your voices are powerful – but we still have a long way to go.
Make it your mission to get all three of your members of Congress (your two Senators and your one Representative) to cosponsor the Kony 2012 resolution. Here’s how you can do that: