For over 23 years, child abduction has been present in Central Africa’s Uganda. For these past years, the man behind these abductions has used these children as sex slaves and child soldiers. He has been responsible for the abduction of over 33,000 young children and justice is coming soon.
Joseph Kony is the number one most wanted war criminal in the world. In 1987, he took over leadership of an existing rebel group in Uganda and renamed it “The Lord’s Resistance Army” (LRA). The LRA has a strong reputation for cruel and brutal antics, but when Kony was running out of fighters, he started abducting children as soldiers in his army or ‘wives’ for his officers. The LRA encourages rape, mutilation, civilian murder (often with blunt weapons) and, in the case of most children, the murder of their own parents. After months of protests, the American congress agreed to send American troops and advisors to help the Uganda army to find, and arrest Kony. Meanwhile, the LRA have moved out of Uganda but are continuing to dominate the South Sudan, Central Africa and the Republic of Congo with their violence. Since starting, they have displaced at least 2.1 Million people.
So what can we do to stop this brutality? Non-profit organisations called “The Invisible Children” plan to stop him. Prior to 5th March, only 1% of the world’s population knew about Kony. However, with the help of the Invisible Children, a movement called “KONY 2012” has been set up.
The aim, is to get the word around. Telling friends, family. Worst enemies about the evil and unjust that is. Joseph Kony. By doing this, American advisers and soldiers can remain in Africa and work alongside the Uganda army and American congress has enough public appeal to carry on spending money on this urgent appeal.
What does this have to do with us? On 20th April 2012, an event called “Cover the Night” is taking place all around the world. This night involves volunteers from all walks of life covering their entire town in “STOP KONY” and “KONY 2012” posters, to raise awareness and to promote this worthy cause. As a community, a number of young people have banded together to form a group of South London KONY 2012 representatives. They will be covering the night, and they wish you would join them.
To see the documentary which changed these people’s lives, please click here.
http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/
