By Deng Ghai Deng
A combined security force has launched a coordinated operation against Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel bases in Central African Republic.
Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the operation in a statement to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
According to Brig. Gen. Kulayigye the raid conducted on Tuesday, involved the Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF), South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and Central African Republic (CAR) security.
The operation took place in the eastern region of Sam Ouandja, Central African Republic at the border with Sudan, targeting three of Kony’s camps.
He revealed that the raid led to the capture of significant equipment and emphasized that the mission was part of a broader strategy to dismantle Kony’s network.
“The operation was successful; the base was overrun and we captured equipment. The operation continues—we will keep monitoring the LRA to prevent them from reorganizing,” Kulayigye said.
Contacted for comment, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the SSPDF, neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of South Sudanese forces.
He indicated that he was consulting with Lt. Gen. Santino Deng Wol, the chief of staff of the SSPDF, regarding the details of the operation.
The raid comes shortly after the International Criminal Court (ICC) closed its investigation into crimes allegedly committed by the LRA.
Kony, a fugitive with a notorious reputation, faces 12 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes related to attacks in northern Uganda during 2003 and 2004.
The charges include murder, enslavement, sexual enslavement, rape, and the forced enlistment of children, among other serious offenses.