Who is Joseph Kony?

[Kat]

http://www.kony2012.com/watch

[Jason P]

I remember reading a few months ago that US special forces are working to establish reliable communication centers in the remote villages so they can be contacted if attacked. The biggest problem is that the massacres this man commands are found days afterwards and it's hard to track his movements. I don't believe the US troops have the permission to engage, only to advise.

[redrock]

A vile, vile man. Even within the realms of this horrible conflict in Uganda.

He must have 'help' from higher places to have been able to evade capture for such a long time. They 'know' where he is, then he's not there anymore.... He is now, it would seem in Congo - in a state of conflict as well. So many places to hide and still command and continue this ruthless ways.

[polaris_x]

interesting ... i have never heard of this guy until now ...

[pandora]

devil himself

[redrock]

interesting ... i have never heard of this guy until now ...

A lot of people don't know the name, but haven't we all heard of the child soldiers and their lives?

But then all these things happen in countries in which 'we' have no 'interest'. It's been going on for decades, we see bits in the new sometimes, every once in a while a documentary and maybe a decree or two by politicians but nothing concrete.

A few years back, in my daughter's class there were a couple of young refugee girls - one from Uganda and one from Congo. As they were French speaking (and didn't know English) so the school asked if I could help them out a bit (the girls in the classroom and help the mums settle in). The harrowing stories they had to tell. Husbands hacked to death in front of the families, mothers raped and cut, daughters raped and/or kidnapped, same with the sons. One of the ladies managed to escape with one daughter, the other with a daughter and a son. Both had more children - they didn't know where they were and what had become of them.

And yet we still stand back and watch.

[polaris_x]

A lot of people don't know the name, but haven't we all heard of the child soldiers and their lives?

But then all these things happen in countries in which 'we' have no 'interest'. It's been going on for decades, we see bits in the new sometimes, every once in a while a documentary and maybe a decree or two by politicians but nothing concrete.

A few years back, in my daughter's class there were a couple of young refugee girls - one from Uganda and one from Congo. As they were French speaking (and didn't know English) so the school asked if I could help them out a bit (the girls in the classroom and help the mums settle in). The harrowing stories they had to tell. Husbands hacked to death in front of the families, mothers raped and cut, daughters raped and/or kidnapped, same with the sons. One of the ladies managed to escape with one daughter, the other with a daughter and a son. Both had more children - they didn't know where they were and what had become of them.

And yet we still stand back and watch.

yes ... definitely have heard all these stories ... but didn't know this guy was #1 on the list of most wanted criminals ... i suspect tho that upon his capture, he will simply be replaced and that ultimately we are ignoring the primary problem in all of this ... which is the poverty that exists in these countries, the corruption, the exploitation and the affect of foreign policy decisions being made ...

[Jason P]

What is the solution? If he is forcibly removed, do the problems go away or will someone else be in line to fill his shoes like a mythical serpent that regrows its head after it's chopped off?

The problems appear to be cyclical, therefore requiring a policy reset. If the UN takes over, will we see similar public dissent in forcing a change of culture that has been seen in the last two major theaters of war?

[polaris_x]

What is the solution? If he is forcibly removed, do the problems go away or will someone else be in line to fill his shoes like a mythical serpent that regrows its head after it's chopped off?

The problems appear to be cyclical, therefore requiring a policy reset. If the UN takes over, will we see similar public dissent in forcing a change of culture that has been seen in the last two major theaters of war?

my solution:

* absolve all foreign debt to african nations
* full and open democratic elections (monitored by int'l bodies)
* nationalization of major resources in order to fund the building of schools and local infrastructure
* stop selling guns to groups like the LRA

[redrock]

yes ... definitely have heard all these stories ... but didn't know this guy was #1 on the list of most wanted criminals ... i suspect tho that upon his capture, he will simply be replaced and that ultimately we are ignoring the primary problem in all of this ... which is the poverty that exists in these countries, the corruption, the exploitation and the affect of foreign policy decisions being made ...

Exactly - poverty, corruption and exploitation. By the West, by the 'ruling' party/individuals in those country. Also religion. This guy was a god fearing, good christian (an ex alter boy), speaking to the angels. His 'army' is called the Lord's Resistance Army. He wanted Uganda to become a christian nation. So... when you add this on top of everything else.... (NOTE: This is not said to turn this thread to a religion-god/anti-religion god thread - it is just to note how this started; just another conflict aggravated by religion, power and delusions).

As you say, upon this capture (if ever), there will be others. There are those that are so 'involved' that they can no longer distance themselves from this type of war. The conflict is so deep rooted with so many ramifications that the removal of one person is not going to change things (though it is one evil person less). At least, if he is caught, with his crimes being so horrendous, one would maybe gain a little solace thinking he may be tried and judged accordingly. Or he may just an end like Hussein or Gadaffi or maybe end his days in somewhat luxury in exile like Amin Dada.

However his 'reign' ends, the conflict is still there.

[redrock]

my solution:

* absolve all foreign debt to african nations
* full and open democratic elections (monitored by int'l bodies)
* nationalization of major resources in order to fund the building of schools and local infrastructure
* stop selling guns to groups like the LRA

That would be fantastic, wouldn't it? But one would need to end conflicts before having elections.

When you look at Uganda and DR Congo, both in dreadful conflicts, both rich countries, both completely corrupt. The wealth is not for the benefit of the people but exploited by the rulers and big corporations - yes Western ones too. Things are way too violent and volatile, but if and when things settle - 'we' are straight back in and so is exploitation and corruption.

[dimitrispearljam]

there is a whole world down there in Africa that we dont have a clue whats going on...

[redrock]

But why is that Dimi? Are we just not interested? It's not 'our world'? We are all well versed in the issues in other western countries and even in the middle east. Why would Africa be any different?

Thanks for posting this Kat. Need to open our eyes to the whole world.

[polaris_x]

That would be fantastic, wouldn't it? But one would need to end conflicts before having elections.

When you look at Uganda and DR Congo, both in dreadful conflicts, both rich countries, both completely corrupt. The wealth is not for the benefit of the people but exploited by the rulers and big corporations - yes Western ones too. Things are way too violent and volatile, but if and when things settle - 'we' are straight back in and so is exploitation and corruption.

part of me believes some of these conflicts are driven by the west to ensure political instability in the region ... also, it creates a market for arms sales which is big motivation of foreign policy ...

[redrock]

And I don't think you would be far off the truth polaris. Unfortunately.