337:(FACA) were 'handed over' to the Task Force at Obo in the CAR. Days later, on 18 September 2012, an additional 2000 Ugandan troops and 500 South Sudanese troops were 'handed over' at Yambio in South Sudan. On 13 February 2013, five hundred Congolese troops of a light infantry battalion at Dungu were added to the RTF. This raised the Force to 3,350 (of a total authorised strength of 5,000) and completed the three Sectors envisioned with bases at Dungu (DRC), Obo (CAR) and Nzara (South Sudan). Force headquarters is at Yambio in South Sudan, The first Force Commander was Ugandan Colonel, later acting Brigadier Dick Olum (UPDF) and the Deputy Force Commander was Colonel Gabriel Ayok Akuok (of South Sudan’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army).
329:
The RCI-LRA was planned to comprise three elements: a Joint Co-ordination
Mechanism, chaired by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security and made up of the Ministers of Defence of the four affected countries (Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic); a
391:
On 19 April 2017, not long after the announcement of the United States' troop withdrawal, Uganda announced the end of LRA pursuit operations in the
Central African Republic. The rebel group was thought to have been depleted to the point where it no longer presented a military threat, although local
365:
A major success occurred on 28 November 2013, when the camp of one of the few remaining rebel bands was reported destroyed. In what may have been the same skirmish a rebel commander – 'Colonel' Samuel Kangul – was killed, along with 13 fighters, when AU-RTF elements ambushed a meeting of two rebel
244:
authorized the RCI-LRA with the mandate to "strengthen the operational capabilities of the countries affected by the atrocities of the LRA, create an environment conducive to the stabilization of the affected areas, free of LRA atrocities, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected
379:
AU-RTF operations were plagued with difficulties even beyond those that might be expected of a multi-national force operating in remote areas across several countries. During March 2013, Seleka rebels overthrew the government of the
Central African Republic (CAR), which reduced CAR involvement and
278:
is a barbaric group originating in northern Uganda and responsible for widespread murder, torture, child abduction, sex slavery and forced recruitment of child 'soldiers'. The group had been forced out of Uganda and was roaming remote areas of (what is now) South Sudan, the
Democratic Republic of
387:
During
January 2016, the UPDF’s 11 Battalion was based in CAR with the AU-RTF. In mid-2016, it was reported that Uganda would withdraw its contribution to the AU-RTF. But AU-RTF operations were apparently continuing in late 2016, when a member of the Task Force was reported abducted by a rebel
345:
United States
Special Forces had, since 2010, been assisting Ugandan forces in their operations against the LRA in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. These forces continued to assist the AU-RTF through to early 2017. But in March 2017 it was reported that U.S.
383:
On 29/30 June 2014, UPDF elements of the AU-RTF clashed with Seleka fighters at Zako and Kono villages, in the
Central African Republic close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was reported that 12 to 15 rebels were killed while the UPDF lost one to three of their own
380:
made operations in parts of that country difficult. Then, on 15 December 2013, fighting broke out in South Sudan between the central government and forces supporting the former Vice-President, Riek Machar. To add to the difficulties, Ugandan forces were restricted from operating in the DRC.
968:
540:
366:
bands on the banks of River Vovodo near its confluence with the Ofoto and Chinko tributaries. Ten AK-47 assault rifles, one PKM machine-gun, five hand guns, more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition and communications gear were captured.
358:. Ugandan Brigadier Sam Kavuma replaced him as Commander of the AU-RTF. Intensified operations against the rebel group were then indicated by the launch of 'Operation Monsoon' on 9 August 2013. It was soon afterwards announced that
1069:
969:
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35335:uganda-says-seleka-now-its-enemy-as-it-hunts-lra-in-central-african-republic&catid=56:Diplomacy%20&%20Peace&Itemid=111
273:
In
November 2011, the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council authorised a Regional Co-operation Initiative for the elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (sometimes referred to as RCI-LRA). The so-called
264:
Operations began in central Africa in March 2012. RTF military operations effectively ended in mid-2017 with the withdrawal of
Ugandan and U.S. troops, and the AU officially ended the RCI-LRA on 20 September 2018.
369:
In
October 2014, AU-RTF Commander Brigadier Sam Kavuma was deployed to Somalia and his place taken by Brigadier Lucky Kidega. By March 2016 the Ugandan AU-RTF Commander was Colonel Richard Otto.
541:"The 795th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the implementation of the AU-led Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army (RCI-LRA)"
1079:
376:– surrendered to Seleka rebels in the Central African Republic on 3 January 2015. Ongwen was transferred to U.S Special Forces and then Ugandan elements of the AU-RTF.
406:
815:
738:
416:
967:'Uganda says Seleka now its enemy as it hunts LRA in Central African Republic', Reuters via Defenceweb, 2 July 2014, accessed 26 February 2017, <
731:
282:
Prior to the formation of the AU-RTF Uganda had conducted military raids into the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting LRA camps (see article
943:
816:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force scores success against the Lord's Resistance Army -African Union - Peace and Security Department"
1074:
354:
In mid-2013, after nine months of operations, Brigadier Dick Olum went to serve with the Ugandan contingent in Somalia as part of the
293:
During July 2005, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the founder and leader of the Lord's Resistance Army,
401:
355:
1046:
286:). Most notably Operation Lightning Thunder, launched on 14 December 2008, saw aerial bombardment of the main LRA camp in the
330:
Regional Task Force Headquarters; and, third, the Regional Task Force (AU-RTF) of up to 5,000 troops from the four countries.
1045:
Okiror, S. (2017) End of Joseph Kony hunt breeds frustration and fear, IRIN News, 26 April 2017, accessed 28 April 2017, <
411:
346:
operations would shortly be coming to an end after the Lord's Resistance Army had been reduced to a point of 'irrelevance'.
283:
605:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force for the elimination of the LRA - African Union - Peace and Security Department"
136:
733:
and Phillips, M.M. (2017) ‘Pizzas, Loudspeakers and Moms: The U.S. Military’s Unorthodox Mission Against Joseph Kony’,
372:
Eventually another success was scored by the AU-RTF when the second-highest ranking rebel in the LRA – 'Major General'
739:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/pizzas-loudspeakers-and-moms-inside-the-u-s-militarys-most-unorthodox-mission-1489158880
520:"Communiqué of the 299th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council Held on 22 November 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."
241:
362:, one of the LRA's top leaders, was killed. His death was later confirmed as having occurred on 27 October 2013.
275:
237:
201:
780:
Heuler, H. (2014) 'Report Finds LRA Weakened, Surviving on Farming, Ivory', Voice of America, 20 February 2014.
392:
people and non-government agencies expressed concern at Uganda's withdrawal from the Central African Republic.
144:
458:
493:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force for the elimination of the LRA, African Union Peace and Security"
604:
1064:
469:
287:
994:
993:
Okiror, S. (2016) 'Mission (Not) Accomplished', IRIN website, 1 July 2016, accessed 1 August 2016, <
290:, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This was followed by ground troops searching former rebel camps.
17:
174:
164:
791:"ICC terminates proceedings against Okot Odhiambo following forensic confirmation of his passing"
518:
1047:
https://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2017/04/26/end-joseph-kony-hunt-breeds-frustration-and-fear
333:
The AU-RTF took form in September 2012, when 360 troops of the Central African Republic's
929:
For example, see Baguma, R. (2013) 'DRC Troop Deployment a Boost to Anti-LRA Efforts',
626:
373:
318:
250:
246:
790:
492:
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359:
314:
298:
258:
254:
222:
154:
105:
881:(The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Magazine) vol. 29, no. 3, March 2016, pp. 26–27.
627:"Ending conflicts, sustaining peace - African Union - Peace and Security Department"
750:'Central Africa: U.S. to End Operations against Lord's Resistance Army in Africa',
309:
orders, on 2 October 2007. Thus at the time the AU Regional Task Force was formed
302:
755:
310:
306:
294:
140:
435:
Some sources use the variant "Regional Cooperation Initiative against the LRA".
650:
877:
Tumwesigye, Capt. Stephen (2016) Dominic Ongwen’s Accomplice Escapes Death,
864:
Kasasira, R. (2014) 'Who is who? List of UPDF top brass and what they do',
713:
Butagira, T. (2011) 'U.S. Commandos Venture into Kony's Killing Fields',
651:"UN welcomes handover of troops to the African Union Regional Task Force"
1006:'African Union personnel abducted by armed group in Western Equatoria',
903:
Ocuwun, C. (2013) 'UPDF very strong with no cracks, says Gen. Katumba',
1032:
Kasasira, R. & Ocungi, J. (2017) 'UPDF Ends 9-Year Hunt for Kony',
1019:'Uganda ends anti-LRA military operation in Central African Republic',
754:(Bonn), 25 March 2017, via Allafrica.com, accessed 26 March 2017, <
674:
Baguma, R. (2013) 'DRC Troop Deployment a Boost to Anti-LRA Efforts',
459:""AU Regional Task Force Against the Lord's Resistance Army Mission""
132:
80:
995:
http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2016/07/01/mission-not-accomplished
687:
Mukasa, H. (2012) 'UN Welcomes AU Force to Hunt Down Joseph Kony',
980:
Owich, J. (2016) 'Soldier Sentenced to 10 Months for Losing Gun',
576:
Mukasa, H. & Among, B. (2008) 'UPDF Attacked Kony on Parade',
1070:
Peacekeeping missions and operations involving the African Union
838:
Butagira, T. (2013) 'UPDF kills top Kony commander in ambush',
767:
Baguma, R. (2013) 'Somalia, LRA operation commanders changed',
726:
See, for example, De Young, K. (2014) 'On the hunt for Kony',
215:
Regional Cooperation Initiative for the elimination of the LRA
28:
Regional Cooperation Initiative for the elimination of the LRA
851:'UPDF sends 2,700 troops to Somalia, names new Commander',
944:"Clashes between Uganda army, CAR gunmen kill at least 17"
563:
Mukasa, H. (2008) 'UPDF Planes Attack Kony’s Congo Base',
890:'U.S. Hands Over Top LRA Commander to Uganda Army',
589:
Among, B. (2008) 'UPDF Grabs Vital Kony Documents',
297:, together with four of his top leaders. Of these,
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provided non-combat military and strategic support.
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128:
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99:
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301:was killed on 12 August 2006, and deputy leader
236:) was a multi-national operation to counter the
756:http://allafrica.com/stories/201703250286.html
407:United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur
737:, 10 March 2017, accessed 20 March 2017, <
8:
1080:Operations involving American special forces
820:African Union, Peace and Security Department
631:African Union, Peace and Security Department
279:the Congo and the Central African Republic.
27:
545:African Union Peace and Security Department
730:, 23 March 2014, accessed 2 January 2017,
26:
842:(Kampala), posted Sunday 1 December 2013.
417:United Nations Force Intervention Brigade
916:'Uganda deploys troops in South Sudan',
257:contributed additional funding, and the
700:Gisesa, N., 2011, 'The Hunt for Kony',
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428:
487:
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453:
451:
112:
94:AU Commissioner for Peace and Security
388:group in South Sudan's Gbudue State.
18:African Union-led Regional Task Force
7:
240:(LRA). On 22 November 2011 the AU
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305:was executed by firing squad, on
249:provided logistical support, the
402:African Union Mission in Somalia
356:African Union Mission in Somalia
466:African Politics, African Peace
814:Kodjo, Tchioffo (2013-12-04).
412:Multinational Joint Task Force
1:
691:(Kampala), 19 September 2012.
335:Forces Armées Centrafricaines
221:) with its military arm, the
933:(Kampala), 17 February 2013.
868:(Kampala), 27 November 2014.
678:(Kampala), 17 February 2013.
593:(Kampala), 21 December 2008.
580:(Kampala), 18 December 2008.
567:(Kampala), 14 December 2008.
855:(Kampala), 28 October 2014.
717:(Kampala), 7 December 2011.
547:(Press release), 2018-10-02
1096:
1010:(Paris), 18 November 2016.
984:(Kampala), 25 August 2016.
920:(Paris), 21 December 2013.
242:Peace and Security Council
1036:(Kampala), 20 April 2017.
894:(Kigali), 8 January 2015.
341:United States involvement
284:2008–09 Garamba offensive
907:(Kampala), 7 June 2013.
771:(Kampala), 1 July 2013.
735:The Wall Street Journal
702:Daily Nation on the Web
657:(in French). 2012-09-19
62:September 20, 2018
1075:Lord's Resistance Army
470:World Peace Foundation
276:Lord's Resistance Army
238:Lord's Resistance Army
46:; 12 years ago
321:were still at large.
288:Garamba National Park
64:; 6 years ago
44:22 November 2011
226:Regional Task Force
175:Combined operations
165:Multinational force
116:Regional Task Force
101:Parent organization
29:
704:, 18 October 2011.
499:. 23 November 2015
625:Kodjo, Tchioffo.
603:Kodjo, Tchioffo.
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659:. Retrieved
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610:18 September
608:. Retrieved
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325:Organization
303:Vincent Otti
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245:areas." The
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184:3,350 (2013)
93:
77:Headquarters
33:Abbreviation
1034:The Monitor
982:The Monitor
879:Tarehe Sita
853:The Monitor
840:The Monitor
715:The Monitor
384:personnel.
311:Joseph Kony
295:Joseph Kony
197:Engagements
189:Nickname(s)
141:South Sudan
124:2011 – 2018
1059:Categories
954:2024-06-05
948:defenceWeb
931:New Vision
905:New Vision
825:2024-06-05
800:2022-02-21
769:New Vision
689:New Vision
676:New Vision
661:2024-06-05
636:2024-06-05
551:2022-06-16
527:2022-06-16
475:2022-06-16
443:References
350:Operations
269:Background
204:operations
151:Allegiance
69:2018-09-20
51:2011-11-22
892:New Times
503:2 January
129:Countries
59:Dissolved
41:Formation
396:See also
200:Counter-
219:RCI-LRA
67: (
49: (
36:RCI-LRA
307:Kony’s
230:AU-RTF
192:AU-RTF
133:Uganda
121:Active
81:Yambio
655:UNOCA
462:(PDF)
423:Notes
89:Chair
1049:>
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971:>
758:>
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612:2018
505:2017
317:and
253:and
213:The
181:Size
171:Role
161:Type
234:RTF
232:or
202:LRA
145:CAR
137:DRC
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