14 Nov 2011

UN / LRA

UN Special Representative for the Central African region Abou Moussa today identified a number of key challenges facing the sub-region, including cross border security, activities of armed groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the circulation of small arms, drugs and human trafficking. He also noted that piracy in the region remains of great concern. UNTV

Posted at: November 14, 2011 4:56 pm

Duration: 02.56

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / LRA
TRT: 2.56
SOURCE: UNTV / UNMIS / MONUSCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 14 NOVEMBER 2011, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1.	Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

14 NOVEMBER 2011, NEW YORK CITY

2.	Wide shot, Security Council
3.	SOUNDBITE (English) Abou Moussa, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA):
"Over the years, the LRA's brutal and indiscriminate attacks on civilians have resulted in deaths, abductions, looting and the displacement of some 440,000 persons are today displaced or living as refugees in the affected countries. Although it does not pursue a political agenda, the group continues to perpetrate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law with impunity, and instil terror and fear among local populations."
4.	Med shot, delegates
5.	SOUNDBITE (English) Abou Moussa, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA):
"The issue of piracy and maritime security remains of great concern. Apart from seizing vessels, criminals are carrying out other unlawful activities, including poaching and the use of the Gulf as a hub for the transshipment of narcotics. Recognizing the importance of enhanced cross-border security in this area, the countries of the sub-region adopted, in Kinshasa, DRC, in 2009, the "Framework to Secure the Gulf of Guinea'' and a protocol creating the Regional Coordination Center for Maritime Security in Central Africa."
6.	Med shot, delegates
7.	SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey DeLaurentis, United States Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs:
"sending American personnel in a non-combat capacity crystallizes the US commitment to supporting regional partners in ending this threat. Our advisers will work to enhance the capacity of regional militaries to coordinate and fuse intelligence with effective operational planning. USforces will not engage in direct action against the LA, but will be equipped for self defense."

FILE – MONUSCO - AUGUST 2011, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)

8.	Various shots, US General Ham visiting military installations in the DRC

FILE – UNMIS - 17 JANUARY 2009, MARIDI, SOUTH SUDAN

9.	Med shot, residents from Mboroko displaced by the LRA

FILE – UNMIS - 18 JANUARY 2009 / MBOROKO, SOUTH SUDAN

10.	Various shots, burned structures in Mboroko
11.	Wide shot, armed local resident on guard

STORYLINE:

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abou Moussa briefed the Security Council today (14 November) on the situation in the Central African region. Moussa delivered the Secretary-General's report on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and on the activities of the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).

The Special Representative said that over the years, "the LRA's brutal and indiscriminate attacks on civilians have resulted in deaths, abductions, looting" as well as the displacement of some 440,000 people.

He noted that although the LRA "does not pursue a political agenda" it continues to perpetrate "serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law with impunity, and instil terror and fear among local populations."

Moussa also reported that the establishment of UNOCA underscored the willingness of Central African leaders to find appropriate solutions to the conflicts that have affected a number of countries in the sub-region in the past.

He identified a number of key challenges facing the sub-region, including cross border security and the activities of armed groups, particularly the LRA, as well as the circulation of small arms and light weapons, and drugs and human trafficking.

The Chadian diplomat also noted that piracy in the region remains of great concern. He said that "apart from seizing vessels, criminals are carrying out other unlawful activities, including poaching and the use of the Gulf as a hub for the transshipment of narcotics."

United States Representative Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the Council about President Barack Obama's announcement last month that the United States will be deploying 100 military advisors to help combat the LRA.

DeLaurentis said that sending American personnel in a non-combat capacity "crystallizes the US commitment to supporting regional partners in ending this threat."

He pointed out that US advisers "will work to enhance the capacity of regional militaries to coordinate and fuse intelligence with effective operational planning" adding that they "will not engage in direct action against the LRA, but will be equipped for self defense."

The LRA, led by Joseph Kony, has for over 20 years has been engaged in an armed rebellion against in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Central Africa.