Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, announces enhanced cooperation between the United States of America and MONUSCO in fighting the LRA in Dungu

Kinshasa, 12 October 2014 – Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, during a visit in Dungu with representative of the United States of America (USA) announced an enhanced cooperation in the fight against the Lord Resistance Army (LRA). “I came to Dungu today with members of the American Embassy to demonstrate our joint commitment to neutralize all armed groups in DRC, including the LRA” declared the Special representative of the Secretary-General.

During their joint visit in Dungu on 10-11 October Martin Kobler and Eric Madison, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States of America, discussed various means to increase cooperation between the US and MONUSCO forces in Dungu in order to accelerate the complete neutralization of the LRA in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco Mr Mohammed Ben Kudoor took the opportunity of the visit of the SRSG to Dungu to visit Moroccan troops operating under the UN flag in this area.

On the occasion of the visit, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General also inaugurated the first Tribunal in Dungu, built under the aegis of MONUSCO. The tribunal will be run by three magistrates from the Kisangani Court of Appeal. “This tribunal will aid in quick referral, smooth conduct and speedy delivery of justice thus paving way for stability” stated Martin Kobler.

Note to the editors:

· The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is a militant movement, which operated in northern Uganda and South Sudan. Since 2005 there have been claims that the group has entered the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 2007 it was reported that it was in Central African Republic.

· The LRA has been accused of widespread human rights violations, including murder, abduction, mutilation, child-sex slavery, and forcing children to participate in hostilities.

· LRA an extremist group is led by Joseph KONY

· Likely a total of 150 fighters, of which 20-50 are in DRC at any given time.

· Area of activity straddles CAR/SUDAN/DRC borders, includes Bas Uele and Haut Uele of Orientale Province of Northern DRC. Forces are concentrated in eastern CAR due to complete freedom of movement as a result of on-going crisis.

· Known to work with CAR’s Seleka, Janjaweed and possibly the Mbororo.

· Typically in DRC, this extremist group loot villages and poaches from the Garamba National Park, and transport goods from the DRC to CAR or Sudan to sell on illegal markets.

Recent attacks and defections placed a large LRA presence north and north-west of DIGBA.