[Archive] BBC talks to USSP Leader on the LRA attacks

13 Aug 2009 (Yambio)

The notorious Lord’s Resistance Army have repeatedly been attacking areas of Western Equatoria State in South Sudan, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, for the past few weeks. BBC Focus on Africa talked to USSP Leader, Clement Mbugoniwia, on the ground in the state capital Yambio, where he said only last week the LRA attacked and burned vehicles carrying medicines. And yesterday they carried out yet another surprise attack at about 5 p.m. in Ezo, a town only a few kilometres from Yambio, where about 200 of them attacked, burned houses and ransacked the Catholic Church where people had taken refuge. Several people are missing, including fifteen children still unaccounted for. Three people have been reported killed, including two civilians and an LRA soldier. Almost all nearby villagers have been displaced to the town.

Asked about the role of the security forces, why they haven’t managed to contain the situation, Mr Mbugoniwia said the LRA, who happen to target mainly civilians, seem to know much of Western Equatoria and use tactics to avoid the security forces, including Ugandan armed forces present in the area. This afternoon all NGOs, both international and local, have been evacuated. Human tragedy is anticipated, including the lack of food and medicines.

Listen to an audio clip [© BBC—accessed 2009-08-14] from the BBC Focus on Africa Web site.