South Sudanese to be Armed Against LRA

Western Equatoria state governor Joseph Bakasoro told BBC that two million dollars will be spent on guns to arm the vigilante group the Arrow Boys against increasing LRA attacks. Currently, the Arrow Boys use knives and traditional weapons in attacks. Mr. Bakasoro says that the Arrow Boys as home defence will be armed and trained so that they can help provide a regular solid defense against the LRA until army soldiers can intervene. Fears that violence will escalate in the area are coinciding and exceeding the tension over the coming referendum on the region's independence. Tensions in Sudan have the South accusing politicians opposed to separation in the North of supplying the LRA with arms, accusations that have been denied in Khartoum. An unstable Sudan could spell disaster for an already ravaged Northern Uganda, as the LRA continues to find areas to exploit.

By arming locals in the area, governments are deploying an army that has been untapped until this point, angry abused villagers. The armament also has the potential to turn into a blood bath as citizens gaining access to guns may begin settling old rivalries under the guise of self protection from the LRA. Since the LRA is a guerilla movement, it's impossible to tell who is or isn't a part of the LRA from an outside observer's point of view. The government also risks riots and revolt if and when the LRA is eradicated, as a populace given means of aggression may turn on the ones who gave them those very weapons.

by Margaret Nunne