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Obama Deploys Special Forces To Help Hunt African Army Leader

By JEdw411 on | From mybloggityblog.com
For years the Lords Resistance Army has terrorized Uganda. Its soldiers (often young boys) have savagely attacked, killed, raped and mutilated the men, women and children of Uganda. Several thousand have paid the price and thousands more were forced from their homes. Their leader claims to have God on his side (like all who commit atrocities) and he’s managed to escape the warrants and bounties on his head. The Obama administration had taken steps to help assist local forces but local politicians have asked for more help and they’re about to get it in the form of U.S Special Forces.
President Obama authorized around 1oo Special Forces members who are equipped for combat to enter Africa last Wednesday. They’re there to help find the leaders of the notoriously violent Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in and around Uganda. The troops will soon be reinforced by a second combat ready team and headquarters unit as well as all of the necessary intelligence and communications personnel. While the American’s will not be fighting this represents another increase in partnership between the African nation and the United States.
Joseph Kony, Leader of the LRA
According to the State Department the LRA has slaughtered more than 2,400 and have abducted about another thousand. They’re also responsible for a horrific amount of rapes within the region. In 2008 the Obama administration backed regional military efforts to combat the LRA and the U.S. has provided around $40 million in support of those operations. Those efforts have failed to prove successful and Joseph Kony, the head of the Lords Resistance Army, remains free. The American force is primarily looking for Kony who has a warrant out for his arrest by the International Criminal Court. He is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity and it should come as no surprise since the majority of his “army” is made up of abducted children.

Kony claims to be a prophet sent by “God” to remove the current Ugandan government and replace it with one based on the Ten Commandments. I guess he can’t read because he’s violated about half of the commandments.

“I have directed this deployment, which is in the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I am making this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.” President Obama in his letter to House Speaker John Boehner.
“Our forces will provide information, advice and assistance to select partner nation forces,” he said. “Subject to the approval of each respective host nation, elements of these U.S. forces will deploy into Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The support provided by U.S. forces will enhance regional efforts against the LRA.”

Last year the United States had only 9 troops in Uganda and now there will be close to 200. This represents a dramatic shift in foreign policy for the Obama administration as well as an increase in support from Uganda. The U.S. has around 1,700 troops within Africa but up until now most were for anti-piracy and the training of local troops. This is the first time that this President has sent troops to directly aid an African nation in ridding a warlord. The United States is dead set on increasing its military and political cooperation with Africa. If the operations prove successful the United States could gain a stronger foothold on a continent that is understandably fearful of Western troops and being colonized.

Source: CNN
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