The Hunt for Joseph Kony

Joseph Kony

Since indictment of Joseph Kony in 6. October 2005 by the International Criminal Court (ICC), he is yet to be tracked down. He is still hiding somewhere in the jungle of one of these countries: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Uganda has been in the forefront of the hunt for Kony and his men until recently when African Union announced it was sending 5000 combatant troops to help track down Kony and his men. Thank God the African Union troops have started operation this week.

United State of America became involved after 11 September 2001 attacks by declaring the Lord's Resistance Army a terrorist group. The government also has put a number of legislative measures in place to help stop Kony and his LRA. And in October 2011 U.S. Government deployed a 100 non-combatant but combat equuipped troops to central africa with the aim of helping regional forces to eliminate Kony and the senior leaders of LRA. U.S forces will provide information and advice to partner nation forces.

However, it looked like the Kony challenge was forgotten until an activist group, Invisible Children posted an internet campaign titled “Kony 2012.” In the 27 minutes campaign they wondered why Kony has not been caught. The purpose of the campaign as they explained was to pressurise U.S government and African governments to find Kony and make him answer for his Crimes.

But six months after nothing has been achieved. The notorious killer is still roaming the jungle. I bet he is even mingling with and still intimidating the villagers where he finds himself. There is probabilitiy he is being helped by the unsuspecting villagers and their traditional heads to survive.

I believe enough has not been done to capture this villainous fugitive. Internet campaign is a good idea but not enough although it helped to push forward the evil ways of Kony and his men to the world's consciousness but it has achieved little in nabbing him. There is no doubt that the internet campaign must have influenced the decision of African Union to commit 5000 troops that has just started operations to the quest for the notorious killer.

Awareness has been created to the western world and a small percent of Africans that have access to internet technology. But what about creating awarness to the areas where Kony is likely to be hiding because these areas lack internet technology. According to reports he was sighted last in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Child- soldiers : Kony recruit these children and made the live in the jungle

Consequently,a grassroot campaign that will have the same impact like that of the internet is highly necessary in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

The campaign to find Kony must be taken to the grassroot. I mean, it must be taken down to Africa as a whole and to East Africa in particular, If the world is to be taken seriously about its rhetorics about catching Kony. 

 

If Kony is to be caught, gross education of the people of East Africa and the rest of African nations is needed. The allied forces of the A.U must work together with village heads in East African nations.

The communities have to know about the crimes committed by Kony and his men, as most of them don't know much about him and what he looks like. Most of them do not know that Kony is a wanted man. East African communities need to be informed about this man, his crimes and the need to find him to answer for his crimes.

Since these villagers do not have access to internet technology, I would suggest that posters and flyers of Kony be used in the campaign. The posters and flyers will be made available in large quantities to the village markets, community meetings, churches, schools and mosques etc.

Another level of education will be to demystify the man Kony. He has remained evasive because of the myths he built around himself and the fact that many do not know what he looks like. While some people believe he could appear and disappear at will, others believe evil will surely come upon anyone twho tries to betray him. This fear has to be gotten rid of. This campaign has to be taken down to schools, village meetings, markets, motor parks, mosques etc. He will have no place to hide if finds out that his face has become recognisable to every one.

Kony must be found but how soon that happens will depend on the level of commitment put in by all involved in the hunt. The efforts to find Kony will be a success only if there is unity of purpose and determination.