IC-supported FM Station opens in DRC

For the past several years, communities in LRA-affected areas have been broadcasting messages by way of FM radio stations with the knowledge that LRA combatants are listening while they walk through the dense Central African forest.

In fact, one of the most cited reasons for the surrender of LRA combatants is “come home” messaging, much of which is supported by Invisible Children and its local partners. One such project, RTK Radio, is an FM station which Invisible Children has expanded and improved over the past few months.

This spring, Invisible Children focused on improving the station buildings, power source and broadcast range. In coordination with a German NGO, Diguna, and with local communities which support the radio, IC was able to expand the broadcasting range of the radio from 75km to 145km, allowing it to reach deep in the region where the LRA is active.

We are currently working to build the capacity of the radio operators themselves, giving the tools to create quality programming which will educate the community on security issues and will reach directly out to the LRA to encourage and give directions on how to peacefully surrender.

The official re-opening of RTK radio was this past Thursday, June 21st, and over 150 people attended the celebration. The dedication included a ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches from notable members of the community. As the head engineer of RTK, Malamu George Atibasay, stated, “We are thankful of this work. Our partners and us had a wonderful collaboration.”

A crowd gathers to celebrate the re-opening of RTK Radio.

The ribbon being cut for the grand re-opening of RTK Radio.

RTK will later become a training hub for other FM radios in the Orientale Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The community-based radio opened over four years ago on April 27th, 2008; however, due to regional insecurity, the station has been broadcasting their programs irregularly for several years. The Director of RTK, Jean-Pierre Mboligihe Ndalu, praised the dedication of RTK’s staff: “My team moved all the time…when the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) came, but when the calm came, our technician and speakers would resume broadcasting.”

One of the radio’s current programs, Solid Food, is played in a mixture of Pazande, Lingala and French languages to “prepare the mind of our audience for the programs that are coming, which will be welcoming those who are coming from the bush.” Mbolighe Ndalu is referring to Demobilization, Disarmament, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration (DDRRR) programs encouraging LRA combatants to surrender. These messages are aired in Luo, the language spoken by Ugandan LRA combatants, and are extremely sensitive in a region where the LRA has caused so much destruction. Ndalu believes the Solid Food program is a complement to these DDRRR messages because they remind the community of the importance of “loving your enemies.”

Currently, RTK consists of five regular radio hosts and 40 community members who contribute to RTK’s programs. As RTK radio becomes more established, Invisible Children and its partners will utilize the expertise and facilities of the radio to train other radio operators from the region in improving their programming and their ability to effectively encourage LRA defections.

-Staff Contributors: Sean & Margaux
1 note   -  2 July 2012

From DR Congo to Washington, DC, to the United Nations

The press conference at the United Nations Security Council is fast approaching, and we are so happy to say that two local leaders from northeastern DR Congo will be there. They arrived in DC yesterday, and over the next couple of weeks they will be speaking in front of some of the most influential  governing bodies in the world on behalf of the remote communities in Central Africa that continue to be targeted by the  Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Father Benoit (whom you might recognize from KONY 2012: Part II – Beyond Famous or one of our videos about his Early Warning Radio Network) and Sister Angelique  both do remarkable work in their communities, protecting civilians and helping rehabilitate those who have escaped from the LRA.  I copied their bios below so that you could get a glimpse of the experience and knowledge they bring with them. Our advocacy partner, Resolve, and Crisis Action are hosting the two delegates on their three-week advocacy tour.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) they will testify at a Congressional hearing  and next week they will deliver your 3.5 million pledge signatures to the United Nations Security Council. The week after that, they will head to Europe for a series of policy meetings.

They have quite the trip ahead of them, and we will be posting updates as we get them. This is a momentous week.

Read Sister Angelique and Father Benoit’s bios here.

-Azy

International Day of African Children celebrated in Dungu

On June 16th, 1976, students of the Soweto township protested for better education; the South African police responded with extreme violence. This student uprising rapidly spread across South Africa and played a pivotal role in the struggle against the apartheid regime. This day is now celebrated as the International Day of African Children. This year’s theme emphasized the rights of children who are handicapped and the importance of respecting them as equals. The town of Dungu, Democratic Repblic of Congo honored these children with songs, stories, and speeches; the presentation even included the musical styling of Dungu born rapper 30 cents!

-Margaux


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In February of 2012, Invisible Children spoke with a 19-year old former LRA abductee* in the Central African Republic AR who was forced to become one of Joseph Kony’s 40+ wives at the age of 16. She explained how the combination of FM radio broadcasts and defection leaflets gave her the courage to finally escape, more than three years after she was abducted by the LRA. This story highlights the importance of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) process and the need to expand efforts that promote peaceful surrender of LRA members. *name and specific location protected for security purposes Learn more about Invisible Children’s defection and peaceful surrender programs here.

In February of 2012, Invisible Children spoke with a 19-year old former LRA abductee* in the Central African Republic AR who was forced to become one of Joseph Kony’s 40+ wives at the age of 16. She explained how the combination of FM radio broadcasts and defection leaflets gave her the courage to finally escape, more than three years after she was abducted by the LRA. This story highlights the importance of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) process and the need to expand efforts that promote peaceful surrender of LRA members.

*name and specific location protected for security purposes

Learn more about Invisible Children’s defection and peaceful surrender programs here.


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LRA attacks on the rise in Central Africa According to multiple articles, including Invisible Children & Resolve’s own LRA Crisis Tracker, the LRA has been ramping up attacks and abductions within the past few months. The UN News Centre, the Voice of America, and humanitarian news site AlertNet have all reported a rise of LRA activity since January both in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. Read more here.

LRA attacks on the rise in Central Africa

According to multiple articles, including Invisible Children & Resolve’s own LRA Crisis Tracker, the LRA has been ramping up attacks and abductions within the past few months. The UN News Centre, the Voice of America, and humanitarian news site AlertNet have all reported a rise of LRA activity since January both in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.

Read more here.


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The African Union announced the establishment of a Regional Task Force to support efforts already underway to end the LRA threat to central Africa. This signifies a strong commitment from not just regional actors, but shows that on a continental level the LRA is a priority. The AU task force has committed to adding additional troops to the apprehension and civilian protection efforts, coordinating between governments in the region and improving DDR/RR efforts regionally. This announcement is only the first step, but it signifies a growing level of support to LRA-affected communities.  -Sean Read more here.

The African Union announced the establishment of a Regional Task Force to support efforts already underway to end the LRA threat to central Africa. This signifies a strong commitment from not just regional actors, but shows that on a continental level the LRA is a priority. The AU task force has committed to adding additional troops to the apprehension and civilian protection efforts, coordinating between governments in the region and improving DDR/RR efforts regionally. This announcement is only the first step, but it signifies a growing level of support to LRA-affected communities.

 -Sean

Read more here.

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This article written by Lisa Shannon was posted in Nicholas D. Kristof’s New York Times column on Friday. Atrocities are still being committed by Joseph Kony and the LRA in DR Congo and CAR. The article offers a glimpse into the real stories of individual people in DR Congo who have lost their lives, their families, or are currently threatened by LRA violence.  Franscisca’s Uncle Alexander lost several sons and grandchildren in one day. He and his elderly wife were forced to run naked through the forest with the LRA shooting at them. Though he lost everything in a few days, he was clear. “We don’t need plastic buckets and cloth handouts. We had a good life before. Get rid of the LRA.” For more information about where the LRA is active right now, visit LRACrisisTracker.com, a website by Invisible Children and Resolve. It uses information sourced from Invisible Children’s Early Warning Radio Network, UN agencies, and local NGOs. It shows exactly where these attacks have been taking place and has video interviews with some of the survivors so that they can tell their own stories and communicate in their own words the urgency of stopping Joseph Kony and the LRA. (Photo by Lisa Shannon)

This article written by Lisa Shannon was posted in Nicholas D. Kristof’s New York Times column on Friday. Atrocities are still being committed by Joseph Kony and the LRA in DR Congo and CAR. The article offers a glimpse into the real stories of individual people in DR Congo who have lost their lives, their families, or are currently threatened by LRA violence. 

Franscisca’s Uncle Alexander lost several sons and grandchildren in one day. He and his elderly wife were forced to run naked through the forest with the LRA shooting at them. Though he lost everything in a few days, he was clear. “We don’t need plastic buckets and cloth handouts. We had a good life before. Get rid of the LRA.”

For more information about where the LRA is active right now, visit LRACrisisTracker.com, a website by Invisible Children and Resolve. It uses information sourced from Invisible Children’s Early Warning Radio Network, UN agencies, and local NGOs. It shows exactly where these attacks have been taking place and has video interviews with some of the survivors so that they can tell their own stories and communicate in their own words the urgency of stopping Joseph Kony and the LRA.

(Photo by Lisa Shannon)