By Jaime Ortega Simo.
Professor Tim Allen from the London School of Economics and
Expert on the Lords Resistance Army.
1) Is the Lord’s Resistance Army really that dangerous throughout Eastern Africa?
No.
2) What is the current situation in Uganda? Is it getting any better for the children; are they still being drafted by the LRA?
2 – There are no longer any abductions in Uganda. They stopped in 2005. Recent abductions are from South Sudan, DRC and CAR. Most abductions have been of young adults rather than children. That was also the case in Uganda.
3) Is Al-Qaeda also in Uganda? Do they also draft children to their group?
3 – Not as far as I know – although there are Islamic militants, who target Uganda for its actions in Somalia.
4) Is the Lord’s Resistance Army weakened considering that they must also have fought other warlords throughout his campaign in several regions in Africa that might of allied to stop them?
It has changed in relation to circumstances. It is less powerful now than in the mid 1990s. But it has always been able to operate in small units when the need arises.
5) Does Al-Qaeda have any connection with the LRA?
Not as far as I know. Why would it? It has nothing to do with Al-Qaeda, other than the fact that it was also put on the US terrorist list. That then prompted some LRA combatants to pose for photos wearing Osama bin Laden t-shirts.
6) Will the Lord’s Resistance Army get any stronger or will it finish itself off just like any other tribal-paramilitary group?
It may have a new lease of life as a militia employed (as before) by Khartoum.
7) Is kony 2012 an over-hype to entice and sell the American audiences to make of the producers of the film richer?
Do you mean KONY 2012? Yes they overstates his importance. But Kony does have a warrant from the ICC, and it would be appropriate to arrest him so that he can stand trial. That would also allow him to expose the actions of the Ugandan government.
Jaime Ortega interview: Tim Allen Professor of London School of Economics.
The Daily Journalist
