Perspectives on Peace: An Examination of Post-Conflict Societies

Yes, i agree with you. It is a really complex topic. I think that although it seems feasible to use a defense militia group to eliminate the LRA, not only will it actually intensify the violence taking place but also potentially give way to the formation of additional rebel groups.

Check out this link i found in the Conciliation Resources website Martina posted. It suggests some sustainable strategies including the need for a “collective regional mechanism to address the conflict”.

http://www.c-r.org/our-work/uganda/documents/JubaCommuniqueOct09.pdf

I agree that this isn’t the best policy to pursue. I think its always a bit dangerous to be arming groups that aren’t part of a state government and that can’t be held accountable in the same way government forces are. Usually when they are being suppled arms by a government it is for exactly that purpose – to commit certain acts that government forces can’t be seen doing.

I’ve read a few sources that view the violence caused by the LRA and the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) as part of a greater conflict between Uguanda and Sudan, as each rebel group has been actively funded by the other state’s government. The thought of more paramilitaries being brought in and funded by what may come to be an entirely new state government in order to eliminate other paramilitary groups makes me dizzy.

I think the possible secession of South Sudan will play a huge role in this. If it succeeds, a direct life line of the LRA cut off. Alternately, depending on what al-Bashir does to prevent secession, we could see a huge escalation of violence from all these groups.