326:(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).
318:
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
380:
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
354:
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
233:
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
368:
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
267:
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
376:
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
334:
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.
372:
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
369:
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.
957:
529:
355:
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.
347:. 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
1058:
958:
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
262:
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
253:
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.
358:
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.
530:"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)"
1068:
365:– 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.
395:
804:
727:
405:
956:'Uganda says Seleka now its enemy as it hunts LRA in Central African Republic', Reuters via Defenceweb, 2 July 2014, accessed 26 February 2017, <
720:
271:
Prior to the formation of the AU-RTF Uganda had conducted military raids into the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting LRA camps (see article
932:
805:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force scores success against the Lord's Resistance Army -African Union - Peace and Security Department"
1063:
343:
In mid-2013, after nine months of operations, Brigadier Dick Olum went to serve with the Ugandan contingent in Somalia as part of the
282:
During July 2005, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the founder and leader of the Lord's Resistance Army,
390:
344:
1035:
275:). Most notably Operation Lightning Thunder, launched on 14 December 2008, saw aerial bombardment of the main LRA camp in the
319:
Regional Task Force Headquarters; and, third, the Regional Task Force (AU-RTF) of up to 5,000 troops from the four countries.
1034:
Okiror, S. (2017) End of Joseph Kony hunt breeds frustration and fear, IRIN News, 26 April 2017, accessed 28 April 2017, <
400:
335:
operations would shortly be coming to an end after the Lord's Resistance Army had been reduced to a point of 'irrelevance'.
272:
594:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force for the elimination of the LRA - African Union - Peace and Security Department"
125:
722:
and Phillips, M.M. (2017) ‘Pizzas, Loudspeakers and Moms: The U.S. Military’s Unorthodox Mission Against Joseph Kony’,
361:
Eventually another success was scored by the AU-RTF when the second-highest ranking rebel in the LRA – 'Major General'
728:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/pizzas-loudspeakers-and-moms-inside-the-u-s-militarys-most-unorthodox-mission-1489158880
509:"Communiqué of the 299th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council Held on 22 November 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."
230:
351:, one of the LRA's top leaders, was killed. His death was later confirmed as having occurred on 27 October 2013.
264:
226:
190:
769:
Heuler, H. (2014) 'Report Finds LRA Weakened, Surviving on Farming, Ivory', Voice of America, 20 February 2014.
381:
people and non-government agencies expressed concern at Uganda's withdrawal from the Central African Republic.
133:
447:
482:"The African Union-Led Regional Task Force for the elimination of the LRA, African Union Peace and Security"
593:
1053:
458:
276:
983:
982:
Okiror, S. (2016) 'Mission (Not) Accomplished', IRIN website, 1 July 2016, accessed 1 August 2016, <
279:, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This was followed by ground troops searching former rebel camps.
163:
153:
780:"ICC terminates proceedings against Okot Odhiambo following forensic confirmation of his passing"
507:
1036:
https://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2017/04/26/end-joseph-kony-hunt-breeds-frustration-and-fear
322:
The AU-RTF took form in September 2012, when 360 troops of the Central African Republic's
918:
For example, see Baguma, R. (2013) 'DRC Troop Deployment a Boost to Anti-LRA Efforts',
615:
362:
307:
239:
235:
779:
481:
1047:
348:
303:
287:
247:
243:
211:
143:
94:
870:(The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Magazine) vol. 29, no. 3, March 2016, pp. 26–27.
616:"Ending conflicts, sustaining peace - African Union - Peace and Security Department"
739:'Central Africa: U.S. to End Operations against Lord's Resistance Army in Africa',
298:
orders, on 2 October 2007. Thus at the time the AU Regional Task Force was formed
291:
744:
299:
295:
283:
129:
424:
Some sources use the variant "Regional Cooperation Initiative against the LRA".
639:
866:
Tumwesigye, Capt. Stephen (2016) Dominic Ongwen’s Accomplice Escapes Death,
853:
Kasasira, R. (2014) 'Who is who? List of UPDF top brass and what they do',
702:
Butagira, T. (2011) 'U.S. Commandos Venture into Kony's Killing Fields',
640:"UN welcomes handover of troops to the African Union Regional Task Force"
995:'African Union personnel abducted by armed group in Western Equatoria',
892:
Ocuwun, C. (2013) 'UPDF very strong with no cracks, says Gen. Katumba',
1021:
Kasasira, R. & Ocungi, J. (2017) 'UPDF Ends 9-Year Hunt for Kony',
1008:'Uganda ends anti-LRA military operation in Central African Republic',
743:(Bonn), 25 March 2017, via Allafrica.com, accessed 26 March 2017, <
663:
Baguma, R. (2013) 'DRC Troop Deployment a Boost to Anti-LRA Efforts',
448:""AU Regional Task Force Against the Lord's Resistance Army Mission""
121:
69:
984:
http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2016/07/01/mission-not-accomplished
676:
Mukasa, H. (2012) 'UN Welcomes AU Force to Hunt Down Joseph Kony',
969:
Owich, J. (2016) 'Soldier Sentenced to 10 Months for Losing Gun',
565:
Mukasa, H. & Among, B. (2008) 'UPDF Attacked Kony on Parade',
1059:
Peacekeeping missions and operations involving the African Union
827:
Butagira, T. (2013) 'UPDF kills top Kony commander in ambush',
756:
Baguma, R. (2013) 'Somalia, LRA operation commanders changed',
715:
See, for example, De Young, K. (2014) 'On the hunt for Kony',
204:
Regional Cooperation Initiative for the elimination of the LRA
17:
Regional Cooperation Initiative for the elimination of the LRA
840:'UPDF sends 2,700 troops to Somalia, names new Commander',
933:"Clashes between Uganda army, CAR gunmen kill at least 17"
552:
Mukasa, H. (2008) 'UPDF Planes Attack Kony’s Congo Base',
879:'U.S. Hands Over Top LRA Commander to Uganda Army',
578:
Among, B. (2008) 'UPDF Grabs Vital Kony Documents',
286:, together with four of his top leaders. Of these,
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provided non-combat military and strategic support.
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149:
139:
117:
109:
104:
88:
76:
65:
47:
29:
21:
290:was killed on 12 August 2006, and deputy leader
225:) was a multi-national operation to counter the
745:http://allafrica.com/stories/201703250286.html
396:United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur
726:, 10 March 2017, accessed 20 March 2017, <
8:
1069:Operations involving American special forces
809:African Union, Peace and Security Department
620:African Union, Peace and Security Department
268:the Congo and the Central African Republic.
16:
534:African Union Peace and Security Department
719:, 23 March 2014, accessed 2 January 2017,
15:
831:(Kampala), posted Sunday 1 December 2013.
406:United Nations Force Intervention Brigade
905:'Uganda deploys troops in South Sudan',
246:contributed additional funding, and the
689:Gisesa, N., 2011, 'The Hunt for Kony',
436:
417:
476:
474:
442:
440:
101:
83:AU Commissioner for Peace and Security
377:group in South Sudan's Gbudue State.
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229:(LRA). On 22 November 2011 the AU
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294:was executed by firing squad, on
238:provided logistical support, the
391:African Union Mission in Somalia
345:African Union Mission in Somalia
455:African Politics, African Peace
803:Kodjo, Tchioffo (2013-12-04).
401:Multinational Joint Task Force
1:
680:(Kampala), 19 September 2012.
324:Forces Armées Centrafricaines
210:) with its military arm, the
922:(Kampala), 17 February 2013.
857:(Kampala), 27 November 2014.
667:(Kampala), 17 February 2013.
582:(Kampala), 21 December 2008.
569:(Kampala), 18 December 2008.
556:(Kampala), 14 December 2008.
844:(Kampala), 28 October 2014.
706:(Kampala), 7 December 2011.
536:(Press release), 2018-10-02
1085:
999:(Paris), 18 November 2016.
973:(Kampala), 25 August 2016.
909:(Paris), 21 December 2013.
231:Peace and Security Council
1025:(Kampala), 20 April 2017.
883:(Kigali), 8 January 2015.
330:United States involvement
273:2008–09 Garamba offensive
896:(Kampala), 7 June 2013.
760:(Kampala), 1 July 2013.
724:The Wall Street Journal
691:Daily Nation on the Web
646:(in French). 2012-09-19
51:September 20, 2018
1064:Lord's Resistance Army
459:World Peace Foundation
265:Lord's Resistance Army
227:Lord's Resistance Army
35:; 12 years ago
310:were still at large.
277:Garamba National Park
53:; 6 years ago
33:22 November 2011
215:Regional Task Force
164:Combined operations
154:Multinational force
105:Regional Task Force
90:Parent organization
18:
693:, 18 October 2011.
488:. 23 November 2015
614:Kodjo, Tchioffo.
592:Kodjo, Tchioffo.
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597:. Retrieved
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314:Organization
292:Vincent Otti
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234:areas." The
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207:
203:
201:
173:3,350 (2013)
82:
66:Headquarters
22:Abbreviation
1023:The Monitor
971:The Monitor
868:Tarehe Sita
842:The Monitor
829:The Monitor
704:The Monitor
373:personnel.
300:Joseph Kony
284:Joseph Kony
186:Engagements
178:Nickname(s)
130:South Sudan
113:2011 – 2018
1048:Categories
943:2024-06-05
937:defenceWeb
920:New Vision
894:New Vision
814:2024-06-05
789:2022-02-21
758:New Vision
678:New Vision
665:New Vision
650:2024-06-05
625:2024-06-05
540:2022-06-16
516:2022-06-16
464:2022-06-16
432:References
339:Operations
258:Background
193:operations
140:Allegiance
58:2018-09-20
40:2011-11-22
881:New Times
492:2 January
118:Countries
48:Dissolved
30:Formation
385:See also
189:Counter-
208:RCI-LRA
56: (
38: (
25:RCI-LRA
296:Kony’s
219:AU-RTF
181:AU-RTF
122:Uganda
110:Active
70:Yambio
644:UNOCA
451:(PDF)
412:Notes
78:Chair
1038:>
986:>
960:>
747:>
730:>
601:2018
494:2017
306:and
242:and
202:The
170:Size
160:Role
150:Type
223:RTF
221:or
191:LRA
134:CAR
126:DRC
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